Safety and feasibility of percutaneous pulsed electrical field ablation in multiple organs: A multi-center...

To assess the safety and feasibility of Pulsed Electrical Fields (PEF) ablation in various organs and patient populations.

This multi-center, retrospective study collected data from five academic medical centers on patients undergoing percutaneous PEF ablation, with a minimum of 30 days follow-up. Parameters assessed included demographics, treatment specifics, immediate adverse events, and survival rates. Procedures used CT or ultrasound guidance with a 19-gauge insulated needle and PEF probe.

This study included 155 patients with a mean age of 60.7 years, predominantly with lung cancer (77/155). Most patients 85 % (131/155) had stage IV disease. The mean hospital stay post PEF was 0.3 days, with most discharged the same day. In lung procedures adverse events of pneumothorax occurred in 21.5 % of lung procedures, with 11.3 % requiring chest tube placements. No adverse events were observed in liver procedures. The 1-year overall survival rate for the entire cohort was 74.6 %, with patients with colorectal cancer having the highest survival rate of 89.7 %, and patient with sarcomas lowest at 18.0 %.

Percutaneous PEF is feasible to be performed across a variety of organs. Although difficult to compare with other modalities, this data suggests that PEF ablation is relatively safe. However, further prospective studies with larger sample sizes and comprehensive imaging are needed to confirm these findings and establish efficacy.