Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE)

UAE is a minimally-invasive technique of treating uterine fibroids that blocks the flow of blood to the fibroids, depriving them of the oxygen and nutrients they need to grow. Uterine Artery Embolization is performed in a state-of-the-art Interventional Radiology suite at NWH by an Interventional Radiologist, a specially-trained physician who uses x-ray imaging to guide the procedure. Patients who undergo UAE benefit from a shorter hospital stay and recovery, decrease of symptoms and improved quality of life.

For more information on UAE call 914.666.1601 or TOLL FREE 888.666.2002 

Women who suffer from uterine fibroids can now access a non-surgical treatment at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) in Mount Kisco. The Hospital offers Uterine Artery Embolization (UAE), a minimally invasive procedure that is performed by experts in NWH’s technologically-sophisticated interventional radiology suite.

UAE is a radiology procedure to eliminate fibroids and can be an alternative to hysterectomy. During the embolization procedure, a tiny catheter tube is placed into the artery that supplies blood to the fibroid and small particles are injected into the artery cutting off blood flow and causing the fibroid to eventually shrink and "die." The procedure has been offered in the U.S. for the past decade and has been FDA approved since 2002.

Carlos Forcade, M.D. is director of the Uterine Artery Embolization Program at NWH. Dr. Forcade is a board-certified interventional radiologist and a regional leader in the treatment of fibroids of the uterus and other vascular anomalies with radiological procedures. He has been treating women with fibroids with UAE for close to a decade.

"Among the benefits of UAE for the treatment of fibroids is that unlike hysterectomy surgery, there is a brief hospital stay, no risk of surgical adhesions, and a short recovery," said Dr. Forcade adding that most patients experience a significant improvement in bleeding, pelvic pain, increased energy level and an overall better quality of life.

It is estimated that approximately 20 to 40 percent of women over the age of 35 have uterine fibroids. Uterine fibroids are benign tumors of the uterus and can cause severe problems for women including excess bleeding and cramping, pelvic pain, urinary frequency, constipation and lack of energy.

The presence of uterine fibroids is one of the most common reasons for a woman to have a hysterectomy in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health.

"Many women who need treatment for their fibroids do not know of UAE and could avoid a painful and costly surgery," added Forcade.

Dr. Forcade joined NWH in 2005 from United Hospital Medical Center (UHMC) in Port Chester where he had been on staff for more than 13 years. In addition to being an attending physician, he was the Vice Chairman of the Dept. of Radiology and the Radiation Safety Officer. Dr. Forcade has also been an Assistant Clinical Professor of Radiology at New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center and an Associate Professor at New York Medical College.

Dr. Forcade received his Bachelor of Science degree from Columbia University in New York City and was awarded his Medical Degree from Albany Medical College. As part of his post-doctoral training, Dr. Forcade completed an internship at New Rochelle Medical Center and a residency in diagnostic radiology at the University of Medicine, New Jersey Medical School and University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey. He then completed fellowship training in Interventional Radiology at New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center.

A member of the Society of Interventional Radiology, The Radiological Society of North America, as well as the New York State Radiology Society and the Westchester County Radiology Society, Dr. Forcade is board-certified in both diagnostic radiology and interventional radiology.

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