The Effect of Nanosecond Pulsed Electric Field on Hepatic Veins—A Mid-Term Investigation

Abstract

Background: Nanosecond pulsed electric field (nsPEF) is a novel ablative technique for treating tumours of the liver, kidneys, and other organs. This study investigated the effect of nsPEF on hepatic veins of different diameters and evaluated the feasibility and safety of using nsPEF to ablate tissues in porcine livers.Methods: A total of 15 pigs were included in the study. B-mode ultrasonography was used to guide two-needle nsPEF electrodes inserted adjacent to the left, middle, and right hepatic veins. The animals were followed up at 1 hour and at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days post treatment. Results: During and after the procedure of nsPEF treatment, electrocardiographs (ECGs) detected no cardiovascular events, and B-mode ultrasonography found no hepatic venous thrombosis formation. Follow-up at 1 hour to 7 days post treatment revealed complete ablation of the perivascular tissue within the ablated area. There was no apparent structural damage to the hepatic veins of different diameters, but there appeared to be red blood cells and residual inflammatory cell infiltration in the subendothelial layer from 1 hour to 7 days post treatment. Follow-up blood biochemical tests showed transient damage to the liver and myocardial function, and immediate recovery, which is consistent with the pathological changes.Conclusion: NsPEF achieved complete liver tissue ablation while causing little damage to the hepatic veins. Thus, nsPEF could be used to ablate central tumour lesions that are located nearing the major hepatic veins, thereby avoiding some of the limitations of conventional surgical therapies and thermal ablations.