University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Faculty Showcase Global Leadership in Interventional Radiology
Miller School faculty are shaping international standards for genicular artery embolization and other minimally invasive treatments for chronic joint pain through global research, education and clinical leadership.
From Tokyo to Paris to major North American stages, faculty from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine are helping define the future of interventional radiology, advancing minimally invasive treatments for joint and tendon pain while shaping international standards for research, training and patient care.
“Participating in these global forums allows us to refine the science of GAE in real-time,” said Bedros Taslakian, M.D., associate professor of clinical interventional radiology and vice chair of research in the Department of Interventional Radiology at the Miller School. “Whether discussing biomarker thresholds at VENTI or debating techniques at GEST, our goal remains the same: to move from anecdotal success to evidence-based precision that defines the standard of care for joint and tendon pain.”
Through invited lectures, course leadership roles and hands-on training at premier scientific meetings, Miller School interventional radiologists are contributing original research, refining clinical techniques and educating peers worldwide in rapidly evolving musculoskeletal (MSK) interventions such as genicular artery embolization (GAE).
Genicular artery embolization, or GAE, is a minimally invasive procedure being studied and used to help relieve chronic knee pain, especially pain caused by knee osteoarthritis. Instead of surgery, GAE is performed by an interventional radiologist, a physician who treats conditions from inside the body using imaging guidance and tiny instruments.
In people with knee arthritis, inflammation can increase blood flow to painful areas around the joint. During GAE, a physician carefully targets small blood vessels linked to that inflammation and reduces that extra blood flow. The goal is to decrease pain and inflammation while preserving healthy tissue. Because the procedure is image‑guided and performed through a small catheter, it does not require open surgery.
GAE is being studied for people who:
• Have chronic knee pain from osteoarthritis
• Are not ready for knee replacement surgery
• Have not found enough relief from medications, injections, or physical therapy
Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine are helping define which patients benefit most, including how biological markers may predict improvement after treatment
GAE has drawn international interest because it:
• Is minimally invasive
• Focuses on the source of inflammation, not just symptoms
• Can be performed by interventional radiologists with advanced imaging expertise
University of Miami faculty are contributing research, clinical experience and education at major national and international medical conferences to help establish evidence‑based standards for when and how GAE should be used.
Across multiple conferences, Miller School faculty focused on strengthening the scientific foundation behind embolization therapies for chronic joint and tendon pain, moving the field beyond early adoption toward data-driven precision and global acceptance.
Defining the Science Behind GAE
At the inaugural VENTI Conference, a specialized international meeting dedicated to musculoskeletal pain interventions, Miller School faculty were invited to Japan by Dr. Yuji Okuno, recognized in the field as a pioneer of transcatheter arterial embolization for MSK pain.
Dr. Taslakian delivered an invited lecture titled “Biomarker Thresholds Associated with Clinical Improvement After Genicular Artery Embolization for Knee Osteoarthritis.” His presentation focused on identifying objective biological markers associated with clinical outcomes following GAE, an important step toward standardizing patient selection and measuring treatment response.
Beyond the podium, Dr. Taslakian served as a lead trainer during hands-on workshops, mentoring interventional radiologists from around the world in complex, catheter-based techniques used in MSK embolization procedures.
Shaping Global MSK Standards and Clinical Practice
A prominent conference for education in musculoskeletal embolotherapy, GEST MSK in Paris, France, brought together international experts to examine emerging evidence and evolving techniques in MSK interventions.
For the third consecutive year, Dr. Taslakian served as a course director. His contributions spanned multiple roles, including delivering a lecture titled “What data should be generated for global acceptance of GAE?” and moderating the session “GAE: Evidence in 2026.” He also participated in a focused debate on embolization techniques, addressing areas of consensus and ongoing investigation in the field.
Alan Alper Sag, M.D., associate professor of interventional radiology at the Miller School, was invited to moderate the session on nerve ablation for knee pain. He additionally served as invited speaker on the topics of genicular nerve blocks and ablation for knee osteoarthritis pain. In a live question-and-answer session with the international audience, he addressed how genicular nerve ablation and genicular artery embolization function as complementary procedures in his clinical practice.
“I was honored to represent the University of Miami in Paris at GEST MSK. This invitation speaks to our program’s international reputation” said Dr. Sag. “We’re refining our technique using international evidence and our results are helping shape how complementary technologies like radiofrequency ablation, cryoneurolysis, iovera and genicular artery embolization are used worldwide.”
Translating Innovation into U.S. Practice
At SIR Edge, a national forum focused on leading-edge interventional radiology practice in North America, Miller School faculty highlighted how advanced MSK interventions are being integrated into routine patient care.
Dr. Taslakian delivered two lectures: “GAE for TKA – Ready for Primetime” and “Top 5 Pearls I’ve Learned Doing GAE.” Together, the talks emphasized practical lessons from clinical experience, emerging indications and future directions for GAE within the U.S. health care landscape.
Sharing Clinical Updates with a Global Audience
The Miller School’s international reach extended to South America at SOBRICE 2025, where Felipe De Souza, M.D., a Miller School associate professor of interventional radiology and program director of the interventional radiology residency program, represented the department as a featured speaker.
Dr. De Souza delivered a lecture titled “Knee Embolization Updates,” presenting the latest clinical data and technical refinements in embolization procedures for knee pain. His presentation underscored the University of Miami’s role in disseminating current evidence and best practices to an international audience.
“SOBRICE offers an important forum for sharing how knee embolization techniques are evolving worldwide,” said Dr. De Souza. “Presenting the latest clinical updates and technical refinements allows for meaningful exchange with international colleagues and helps ensure these minimally invasive approaches continue to advance in a thoughtful, evidence‑driven way.”
A Commitment to Science, Education and Global Collaboration
Collectively, these appearances reflect the Miller School’s broader mission to advance interventional radiology through rigorous research, continued medical education and sustained engagement on national and international podiums.
“Our faculty are committed to advancing science, achieving the best outcomes and educating the next generation of interventional radiologists via participating in continued medical education activities and maintaining a presence on national and international podiums,” said Laurence Sands, M.D., M.B.A., interim chair of the Department of Interventional Radiology and professor and chair of the DeWitt Daughtry Family Department of Surgery.
Tags: Department of Interventional Radiology, Dr. Alan Sag, Dr. Bedros Taslakian, genicular artery embolization (GAE), interventional radiology, Society of Interventional Radiology