Prostatic artery embolization Our PAE program is one of only a few in the US. PAE is a minimally invasive alternative to surgery to treat symptoms of BPH, also known as an enlarged prostate. BPH causes lower urinary tract symptoms including slow urinary flow, difficulty urinating, incomplete urination requiring catheterization, and frequent urination at night. During the procedure, physicians enter a blood vessel through a pinhole in the wrist or groin, and the blood vessels to the prostate are blocked. This decreases prostate size and urinary symptoms improve. The procedure is successful with few reported complications and a simple outpatient recovery.