GAE with Resorbable Beads

First-in-Human Evaluation of a New Resorbable Microspherical Embolic Agent for Genicular Artery Embolization to Treat Pain Secondary to Knee Osteroarthritis

🔍 **Clinical Question:**

Is genicular artery embolization (GAE) using a resorbable microspherical embolic agent a safe and effective treatment for pain secondary to knee osteoarthritis (KOA)?

💡 **Key Insight:**

This first-in-human study reports on the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a new resorbable embolic agent, SakuraBead (CrannMed, Galway, Ireland), specifically designed for musculoskeletal embolotherapy.

Fifteen patients underwent successful genicular artery embolization with 100% technical success.

There was a statistically significant reduction (P < .001) in mean visual analog scale score of 73.8%, 75.7%, and 63.1% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively. There was a 79.1% reduction in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) total score at both 1 and 3 months, and 75.8% reduction was maintained at 6 months (P < .01); this was accompanied by a reduction in WOMAC pain score of 80.3%, 82.4%, and 78.7% at 1, 3, and 6 months, respectively (P < .01).

👉 **Why it matters:**

This limited pilot study demonstrated that genicular artery embolization using alginate resorbable microspheres was safe and provided significant improvement in pain and function in patients with knee osteoarthritis maintained to 6-month follow-up.

➡️ **Full Article:** 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvir.2025.07.010

#InterventionalRadiology #MSKIR #GAE #OA #MedEd