【Abstract】 Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of prostatic artery embolization （PAE）in treating prostatic carcinoma（Pca）complicated by urinary retention for highrisk patients. Methods Using polyvinyl alcohol as embolic agents, the embolization of prostatic arteries was performed in 32 patients with high operation risk. International prostate symptom (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), prostate volume, maximum urinary flow rates (Qmax) and postvoiding residual volume（PVR）were compared before and after operation. Results Urethral catheter was removed in all patients within 1 month after operation. The preoperative IPSS, QOL, prostate volume, Qmax and PVR were 287±51, 46±12, 836±52 ml, 83±35 ml/s and 980±110 ml, respectively. 1 and 3 months after operation, The preoperative IPSS, QOL, prostate volume, Qmax and PVR were 142±35, 230±02, 466±60 ml, 116±43 ml/s, 320±48 ml and 122±29, 234±05, 426±32 ml, 123±35 ml/s, 350±60 ml, respectively. The indexes before and after treatment were statistically significantly different (all P＜005). No serious complication related to PAT occurred. Conclusion PAT can safely and effectively alleviate the obstructive symptoms caused by prostatic cancer in highrisk patients, inhibit tumor progression and improve the quality of life.