Magnetic anchoring and guidance-assisted endoscopic irreversible electroporation for gastric mucosal ablation: a preclinical study in canine model

The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of magnetic anchoring and guidance-assisted endoscopic irreversible electroporation (MAG-IRE) for gastric mucosal ablation. A catheter-based, donut-like, and MAG-assisted electrode was developed. MAG-IRE for gastric mucosal ablation was performed in eight beagle canines. The parameters of one set of IRE was 500 V voltage, 100 μs pulse duration, and 99 pulses. The MAG time, operation time, success rate, and adverse events were measured. Endoscopic examination was performed from 30 min to 28 days post-IRE. Full-thickness gastric tissue was harvested by wedge biopsy for histopathological analysis. 30 (93.75%) of the 32 lesions were successfully ablated by MAG-IRE. The median MAG time was 300 s (IQR 120–422.5 s), and the median operation time was 491.5 s (IQR 358.3–632.5 s). No adverse events occurred. Ulceration was observed, starting from 3 days post-IRE. The mucosa healed 14 to 28 days post-IRE. Hematoxylin–Eosin (H&E) staining showed inflammatory infiltration, edema, and congestion in the ablated mucosa. Masson’s Trichrome staining showed that the gastric wall and blood vessels in the ablation area were intact. TUNEL assay showed diffuse positive cells in ablated mucosa as early as 30 min post-IRE. MAG-IRE for gastric mucosal ablation is feasible, safe, and effective. It can be a potential therapeutic option for minimally invasive treatment of gastric neoplasm.