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Operator Learning Curve for Prostatic Artery Embolization and Its Impact on Outcomes in 296 Patients

  • CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
  • Embolisation (arterial)
  • Published:
CardioVascular and Interventional Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To define operator learning curve inflection points for prostatic artery embolization (PAE) and their impact on technical efficiency, clinical outcomes, and adverse events.

Materials and Methods

Between May 2013 and May 2021, 296 consecutive patients with moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary retention, or gross hematuria from benign prostatic hyperplasia underwent PAE by an interventional radiologist without prior PAE-specific experience. Operator learning curves plotted procedure time, fluoroscopy time, contrast volume, and embolic endpoint data against sequential procedure number. Multiple regression analysis evaluated for improvements in these parameters, with segmented linear regression to detect learning curve inflection points. Linear and logistic regression evaluated for learning curve impacts on 6-month clinical outcomes and 90-day adverse events.

Results

No baseline patient characteristic varied over the series apart from decreasing pre-procedural gland volume (P < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated experience-dependent improvements in procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and contrast volume (P < 0.01), with corresponding learning curve inflection points at 76 (P < 0.01), 78 (P < 0.01), and 73 (P = 0.10) procedures. Embolic endpoints did not vary with experience (P > 0.05). Post-procedure reductions in International Prostate Symptom Score (21.5 ± 6.2 to 6.7 ± 4.7), Quality of Life score (4.5 ± 1.2 to 1.3 ± 1.2), post-void residual (190 ± 203 to 97 ± 148 mL), and gland volume (142 ± 97 to 76 ± 47 mL) were substantial (P < 0.01) but did not vary with experience (P > 0.05), nor did adverse event frequency/severity (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Operator technical efficiency plateaued after 73–78 PAE procedures. Clinical improvements were substantial and adverse event frequency/severity low, and neither varied with experience. Operators without prior PAE-specific experience may perform PAE safely and effectively from the outset.

Level of Evidence

Level 2b, Cohort Study.

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Abbreviations

PAE:

Prostatic artery embolization

LUTS:

Lower urinary tract symptoms

BPH:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia

CCI:

Charlson comorbidity index

BMI:

Body mass index

IPSS:

International prostate symptom score

QoL:

Quality of life score

PGV:

Prostate gland volume

PVR:

Post-void residual

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Funding

This study was not supported by any funding.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA

    Taylor Powell, Saumik Rahman & Lawrence Staib

  2. University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA

    Shivank Bhatia

  3. Lahey Medical Center, Burlington, MA, USA

    Raj Ayyagari

Authors
  1. Taylor Powell
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  2. Saumik Rahman
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  3. Lawrence Staib
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  4. Shivank Bhatia
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  5. Raj Ayyagari
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Raj Ayyagari.

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Conflict of interests

Dr. Bhatia receives grants and personal fees from Merit Medical Incorporated, personal fees from Terumo Incorporated, personal fees from Mentice, grants and personal fees from Siemens Medical, stock holdings with Embolx Incorporated, and personal fees from Medtronic, outside the submitted work. All other authors have no conflicts of interest.

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This study has obtained IRB approval from Yale University School of Medicine and the need for informed consent was waived.

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Powell, T., Rahman, S., Staib, L. et al. Operator Learning Curve for Prostatic Artery Embolization and Its Impact on Outcomes in 296 Patients. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 46, 229–237 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-022-03321-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-022-03321-w

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