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Semin intervent Radiol 2022; 39(02): 125-129
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1745798
Review Article

Genicular Artery Embolization for Primary Knee Osteoarthritis

Ravi Tyagi
1   University of Illinois College of Medicine at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
,
S. Samaduddin Ahmed
2   Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois
,
Yilun Koethe
3   Dotter Department of Interventional Radiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
,
Aleksandr Raskind
2   Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, Illinois
,
Osman Ahmed
4   Section of Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
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Abstract

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is a novel treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA) with increasing interest and utilization worldwide. The genicular arteries are selectively embolized using microspheres with subsequent cessation of abnormal synovial hyperemia, a process believed to arrest the inflammatory changes and pain associated with OA. Current data indicate that GAE offers sustained, 6-month improvement in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and visual analog scale scores in 80 to 85% of patients with mild to moderate OA. As GAE gains traction, future studies are needed to establish its safety and efficacy relative to placebo and other standard-of-care therapies while also characterizing populations for which it is most effective.

Keywords

GAE - genicular artery embolization - osteoarthritis - embolization - WOMAC - WORMS - VAS - interventional radiology


Publication History

Article published online:
30 June 2022

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