76 - The Impact of Prostate Artery Embolization Using N-Butyl Cyanoacrylate on Erectile Function: A Short-Term Evaluation Using the SHIM Questionnaire

Monday, March 31, 2025

12:10 PM – 1:10 PM CT

Location: Music City Center, Expo Poster Area

Poster Presenter(s)

Ramita N. Gowda, MPH

Medical Student
St. George's University School of Medicine, United States

Author/Co-author(s)

Jade Lerner, MD (she/her/hers)

Resident
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
David Bamshad, MD

Fellow PGY6
The Mount Sinai Hospital, United States
JV

Jenanan Vairavamurthy, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiology
Mount Sinai, United States
Dan Shilo, MD

Assistant Professor
Mount Sinai, United States
KG

Kirema Garcia-Reyes, MD

Assistant Professor
Mount Sinai, United States
Vivian Bishay, MD

Associate Professor
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, United States
RP

Rajesh I. Patel, MD

Assistant Professor of Radiology and Surgery
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
Robert A. Lookstein, MD

Professor of Radiology and Surgery
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States
AF

Aaron M. Fischman, MD

Professor of Radiology and Surgery
Mount Sinai Health System, United States

Purpose:

This study evaluates the short-term impact of prostate artery embolization (PAE) with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) on erectile function in men treated for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). One of the recognized risks of PAE is non-target embolization, particularly to the pudendal and cavernosal arteries, which could lead to erectile dysfunction (ED). N-BCA glue, with its rapid polymerization and precise delivery, may reduce this risk by allowing for more controlled embolization and minimizing collateral damage. This study uses the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) questionnaire to assess sexual function pre- and post-procedure.

Materials and Methods: A total of 57 men who underwent PAE with NBCA between June 2022 and April 2024 were included in the study. Erectile function was measured using the SHIM questionnaire both before and 6 weeks after the procedure. Baseline and follow-up SHIM scores were compared to evaluate the effect of NBCA-based PAE on sexual health. Additionally, clinical success in alleviating LUTS was assessed in the same cohort.

Results:

The mean pre-procedure SHIM score was 17 ± 6.3. At 6 weeks post-procedure, the mean SHIM score slightly increased to 18 ± 7, though this change was not statistically significant (p= 0.403). Clinical success in relieving LUTS was achieved in 100 % of patients. No significant adverse effects on erectile function were observed, aligning with previous findings from microparticle-based PAE. The use of NBCA glue resulted in more controlled embolization, potentially reducing non-target embolization and protecting pudendal collaterals, which are critical for erectile function.

Conclusion:

In this cohort of men with BPH, PAE with NBCA glue demonstrated no significant negative impact on erectile function, with a slight, non-significant improvement in SHIM scores at 6 weeks. These results suggest that NBCA glue may offer a more precise embolization technique, reducing the risk of non-target embolization to structures that could affect sexual function. Further data collection is planned to increase statistical power, and long-term follow-up at 6 months will provide additional insights into the sustainability of these findings regarding both LUTS and erectile function.