Why experience matters when choosing a doctor for PAE

By Yosef Golowa, MD, FSIR · Published June 30, 2026 · 2 min read

One of the most consequential decisions you can make about your health is choosing the physician who will treat you. That is especially true for prostate artery embolization (PAE), a treatment for men dealing with benign prostatic hyperplasia. PAE is a safe and effective alternative to surgery for many men, but its success depends heavily on the skill and experience of the person performing it.

What prostate artery embolization is

PAE works by blocking the small arteries that supply blood to an enlarged prostate. The reduced blood flow causes the gland to shrink over time, relieving urinary symptoms such as frequent trips to the bathroom, a weak stream, and difficulty starting. Unlike traditional surgery, PAE is performed through a pinhole in the skin, requires no cutting, and comes with a faster recovery.

Why experience matters

PAE is highly technical. It requires navigating very small, often complex blood vessels, and no two patients have the same anatomy. The precision needed to perform it safely and completely grows with practice. An experienced interventional radiologist has not only mastered the procedure but has developed strategies for handling anatomical variation and the problems that arise mid-procedure.

Research and real-world outcomes consistently show that results improve when the physician has performed a high volume of the procedure. More experience generally means fewer complications, greater accuracy, and better long-term symptom relief.

What patients gain from an experienced operator

• Higher success rates. A seasoned physician is more likely to achieve complete embolization, which is what produces symptom improvement.
• Lower risk of complications. Small vessels are unforgiving. Experience reduces the chance of unintended embolization or vessel injury.
• A more efficient procedure. Experienced operators work faster, which means less radiation and less contrast dye.
• Confidence. Knowing your physician has treated many men with the same condition is worth something on the day.

Asking the question

If you are considering PAE, it is entirely reasonable, and advisable, to ask your doctor how many they have performed. The difference between a physician who has done a handful and one who has done many can be significant. This is not a procedure to leave to an operator who does it occasionally.

About Dr. Golowa

Dr. Yosef Golowa has been performing prostate artery embolization for over a decade and has completed more than 1,000 of these procedures, making him one of the most experienced physicians performing PAE in the New York metropolitan area. He speaks with every patient personally before any procedure for a full evaluation, and provides the follow-up care himself.

To learn more about prostate artery embolization, or to find out whether you are a candidate, call our office at (212) 991-9991 or book an appointment.