Virginia Interventional and Vascular Associates (VIVA) is expanding its offerings of outpatient procedures in collaboration with Mary Washington Healthcare include Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE).
VIVA is the first in the Fredericksburg Region to perform PAE.
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy, commonly referred to as BPH. PAE is performed as an alternative to surgical procedures like transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The procedure shrinks the prostate by treating the blood vessels leading to the organ. Performed through a pinhole incision in the wrist or upper thigh, the outpatient procedure aims to alleviate the symptoms of BPH, including a weak urine stream, frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate, urinating often at night, and difficulty starting a urine stream.
“I felt very compelled to bring this procedure to the area,” says Dr. Gustavo Elias, an Interventional Radiologist at VIVA, and champion for this procedure. “Since one-third of all men aged 40-80 develop an enlarged prostate, PAE offers a new, minimally invasive treatment for improving the symptoms of BPH without the higher risk of complications associated with surgery.” Dr. Elias trained at Yale New Haven Hospital under the tutelage of Dr. Raj Ayyagari. During Dr. Elias’ time there, Yale New Haven performed the largest number of PAE procedures in New England. He now brings this world-renowned expertise to the local region.
Virginia Interventional and Vascular Associates (VIVA) is the region’s only multi-specialty practice with a team of Interventional Radiologists and Vascular Surgeons who are Board Certified and Fellowship Trained. In fully-equipped outpatient settings, in collaboration with Mary Washington Healthcare and local urologists, VIVA offers comprehensive vascular and interventional radiology care. These facilities are easily accessible from I-95 in Fredericksburg and North Stafford. A leader in healthcare in Fredericksburg, VIVA provides the convenience and comfort of an outpatient setting with the highest quality of care, affordability, and patient satisfaction. VIVA meets the rigorous standards established by accreditation organizations, including AAAHC and IAC.
