Genicular Artery Embolization for Treatment of Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis: 2-Year Outcomes from a Prospective IDE Trial

Purpose

To report the 24-month outcomes and subgroup analysis evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the genicular artery embolization (GAE) for the treatment of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Materials and Methods

Forty participants with symptomatic moderate-to-severe knee OA from a single-center, single-arm, prospective investigational device exemption trial of GAE were included in this study. Abnormal genicular artery neovascularity was identified at the subject’s focal knee pain with digital subtraction angiography and cone-beam computed tomography (CT). Embolization was performed with 100-μm microspheres. The primary end point was treatment effectiveness as measured by sustained improvement in OA symptoms at 24 months, quantified using the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Treatment success was defined as ≥50% decrease in WOMAC relative to baseline. Clinical outcomes were assessed with mean age of 66.0 years (SD ± 8.1) and body mass index of 30.1 kg/m² (SD ± 6.2).

Results

Of the 40 patients, 2 (5.0%) were lost to follow-up. Overall, 18 of 38 (47.4%) patients demonstrated ≥50% reduction in WOMAC at 24 months. In the subset of patients with initial clinical success at 12 months, 18 of 25 (72.0%) reported sustained clinical success at 24 months. Seven of 25 (28.0%) patients had symptom recurrence between 12 and 24 months and were determined to be clinical failures. All treatment-related adverse events occurred within 12 months after GAE, without additional events after 12 months.

Conclusions

GAE is effective in achieving sustained symptom relief related to moderate-to-severe knee OA for up to 24 months with an acceptable safety profile.