What is Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization?
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) is an interventional radiology treatment for internal hemorrhoids that offers long-lasting relief from rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoids form when abnormal connections are made between arteries and veins in the rectum. Embolization works by blocking these abnormal blood vessel connections, which eliminates the bleeding.
The procedure is performed by interventional radiologists – doctors specially trained to do minimally invasive vascular procedures, such as angioplasty and embolization, to treat a variety of conditions.
During HAE, a doctor positions a catheter through a small needle puncture in the leg and into the blood vessels that supply the rectum using x-ray guidance. Once positioned, tiny coils are slowly released that block the blood supply to the hemorrhoids and stop the bleeding.