Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is an emerging non-thermal ablative technique with recent studies demonstrating its efficacy in destroying solid organ malignancies (Figure). The principle underlying IRE is applying sufficient electrical pulses to permanently increase cell membrane permeability. Subsequent formation of pores allows ionic and molecular transport into and out of the cell. Variables such as electric field, number of pulses, pulse duration and pulse interval affect the degree of disruption to the cell membrane, with multiple studies outlining the ideal parameters for specific cancer models, as efficacy depends on the size, shape, and electric charge of the cell. Increased permeability of the cell leads to an influx of Ca2+ and Na+ and efflux of K+ and ATP; the high concentration of intracellular Ca2+ leads to cell necrosis or apoptosis.
As a non-thermal ablation method, it is differentiated from other ablation techniques such as microwave ablation...
