The interaction between irreversible electroporation therapy (IRE) and embolization material using a validated...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Oncology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a nonthermal ablation technique for tumors.
• Surgical clips and embolic agents are often near or within target lesions.
• The impact of IRE on these implants and their effect on ablation is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of IRE on the morphology of various embolic agents.
• To assess how embolic agents and surgical clips influence the IRE ablation field.
• To evaluate potential adverse effects using a validated vegetal model.

Main Methods:

• Metallic surgical clips and metallic/nonmetallic embolic agents were placed in a vegetal model (tuber).
• Placement included within, at the edge, and outside the ablation field.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) assessed ablation dimensions; microscopy examined nonmetallic agents.

Main Results:

• Nonmetallic agents showed no impact on the ablation pattern.
• Metallic implants caused arcing at the ablation margins.
• No macroscopic or microscopic degradation of metallic or nonmetallic agents was observed post-IRE.

Conclusions:

• Surgical clips near the ablation zone can cause arcing, potentially endangering adjacent critical structures.
• IRE does not physically degrade embolic agents or surgical clips.
• Findings are important for considering IRE on previously embolized lesions in vivo.