Israeli Hospital Pioneers Reversible Electroporation to Treat Complex Vascular Malformations in Children

Shaare Zedek Medical Center's angiography unit has introduced Israel's first use of reversible electroporation to treat complex vascular malformations, primarily in children and adolescents. This innovative treatment offers high success rates, especially for severe cases unresponsive to previous therapies. Vascular malformations are complex blood vessel disorders traditionally treated by sclerotherapy, which involves injecting medication directly into the malformation to shrink it. However, this conventional method often requires multiple invasive sessions with limited effectiveness.

The new procedure involves delivering a specialized drug, bleomycin, into the malformation via a tiny catheter. Immediately afterward, a unique probe emits a controlled electric pulse that temporarily opens cell walls, allowing the drug to penetrate cells at concentrations 10,000 times greater than standard treatments. This targeted destruction of the malformation significantly reduces the number of treatments needed.

Dr. Adam Farkash, head of the angiography unit at Shaare Zedek, highlighted the remarkable results, particularly among young patients who had undergone numerous unsuccessful invasive treatments elsewhere. He noted that most new patients with vascular malformations are now directly referred to this reversible electroporation therapy. Recently, the unit hosted Israeli hospital experts to observe the procedure and participate in an international webinar led by Professor Walter Wolgamot from Germany, a pioneer of the technique, aiming to share knowledge and expand this medical breakthrough globally.