Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
08:05
A Syngeneic Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Model to Study the Effects of Irreversible Electroporation
Published on: June 8, 2018
Irreversible electroporation in a Swine lung model
Damian E Dupuy1, Bassam Aswad, Thomas Ng
1Rhode Island Hospital, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02903, USA. ddupuy@lifespan.org
Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology
|December 31, 2010
Summary
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) in a swine lung model caused localized alveolar damage but spared blood vessels and bronchioles. Short-term safety appears satisfactory, with no adverse events noted.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Medical Devices
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an emerging ablation technology.
- Understanding the safety and tissue effects of IRE in the lung is crucial for clinical translation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and tissue effects of IRE in a swine lung model.
- To assess the histological changes induced by IRE in lung tissue.
Main Methods:
- Percutaneous IRE lesion creation in swine lungs using bipolar and monopolar electrodes under fluoroscopic guidance.
- Post-procedure imaging (radiographs, CT) to assess for complications like pneumothorax.
- Gross and microscopic pathological analysis of lung tissue at 2 and 4 weeks post-procedure.
Main Results:
- No significant adverse events or pneumothorax were observed.
- Histological analysis revealed focal diffuse alveolar damage with fibrosis and inflammation, confined by interlobular septae.
- Bronchioles and blood vessels within IRE lesions remained intact, showing no signs of injury.
Conclusions:
- IRE can create focal lung lesions with distinct tissue effects.
- The procedure demonstrated short-term safety in a swine model.
- IRE appears to selectively damage lung parenchyma while preserving critical structures like bronchioles and blood vessels.
