Ep. 675 Advancements & Challenges in GAE Practice with Dr. Amin Astani and Dr. Anish Ghodadra

As interest in genicular artery embolization grows, what does it actually take to build a sustainable GAE practice? On this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Kavi Krishnasamy is joined by Dr. Anish Ghodadra and Dr. Amin Astani to share their blueprint for building a successful genicular artery embolization (GAE) practice. They discuss patient selection, imaging workup, scoring tools, and procedural techniques, including access strategies, device choice, and embolic selection. The conversation also covers follow-up protocols, defining treatment success, and how to set patient expectations. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- This podcast is supported byVarian https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/ --- Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction04:00 - GAE Workup and Patient Scoring05:28 - KL Score and MRI Debate10:15 - Patient Selection and Contraindications15:11 - Access Strategy and Closure Techniques19:54 - Catheters, Wires, and Embolic Choices28:19 - Cone Beam CT Workflow31:37 - Managing Collaterals34:26 - Follow-Up and Repeat GAE38:42 - Defining Success and Setting Expectations44:25 - Technique Nuances and Flow Modulation50:28 - Building Referral Networks56:56 - Keeping Referrers Engaged59:46 - Direct-to-Patient Marketing01:04:57 - Leveraging Social Media and Reviews01:12:42 - Tracking Leads and Insurance Coverage01:19:47 - Final Thoughts and Next Steps --- More about this episode Beyond technique, the discussion dives into practical strategies for growing a GAE practice: referral pathways, engaging physical therapists and orthopedic surgeons, direct-to-patient marketing, digital outreach, and tracking outcomes. The guests share experience-driven tips on handling insurance hurdles, building relationships with referring providers, and using data to demonstrate value. The episode wraps with reflections on negative trial results, the evolving landscape of GAE, and what it takes to keep a practice thriving in a competitive environment. --- Resources Long-term outcomes of genicular artery embolization for knee osteoarthritis: 12-month efficacy and secondary outcomes from a randomized sham-controlled clinical trialhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-026-12505-8 Repeated Genicular Artery Embolization Using Permanent Microspheres for Severe Osteoarthritis and Postsurgical Painhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s00270-026-04410-w --- BackTable Vascular & Interventional (VI) is the go-to podcast for interventional radiologists, vascular surgeons, and interventional cardiologists. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty. ► https://www.backtable.com/app