Hemorrhoidal Artery Embolization: Longitudinal Impact On Symptoms (HELIOS)
Hemorrhoidal artery embolization (HAE) is a novel treatment for symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. HAE involves the deliberate blockage (embolization) of enlarged rectal or hemorrhoidal arteries leading to reduction of abnormal blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue. The aim of HAE is to the improve hemorrhoid related symptoms, especially bleeding. Initial reports of HAE have demonstrated that it both safe and effective. Following an initial clinic visit to determine trial candidacy, enrolled patients will be subsequently treated with HAE. Patients will be followed for a year with clinic follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.
• Age 18 to 90 years
• Ability to give written informed consent and to comply with the follow-up visits
• Symptomatic hemorrhoidal disease with French Bleeding Score (FBS) of at least four out of nine
• Refusal of or contraindication to surgery
• Refusal of or contraindication to other minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatments
• Grade I to III hemorrhoids
• Previous anoscopy or colonoscopy demonstrating internal hemorrhoids within 1 year
• Supply of the CCR from either the SRA or MRA on intra-procedural angiogram prior to embolization