Shaare Zedek Introduces Revolutionary Treatment for Complex Vascular Malformations in Children

Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem has begun offering Israel's first treatment using reversible electroporation for complex vascular malformations, primarily affecting children and adolescents. This innovative procedure significantly improves outcomes for difficult cases that have not responded to traditional therapies. Vascular malformations are diverse blood vessel disorders typically treated by sclerotherapy, which involves injecting medication to shrink the malformation. However, this conventional method often requires multiple invasive sessions with limited effectiveness.

The new treatment involves delivering a specialized drug, bleomycin, directly into the malformation via a tiny catheter. Immediately afterward, a unique probe emits a controlled, short electrical pulse that temporarily opens cell membranes, allowing the drug to penetrate the malformation cells at concentrations 10,000 times higher than standard treatments. This targeted approach efficiently destroys the malformation and drastically reduces the number of required treatments.

Dr. Adam Farkash, head of the angiography unit at Shaare Zedek, leads the new therapy and reports excellent results, especially among young patients who previously underwent numerous unsuccessful invasive treatments elsewhere. He states that most new patients with vascular malformations are now directed to this reversible electroporation pathway. 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 advancement globally.