Compound steep-pulse irreversible electroporation for prostate ablation in Beagle dogs: parameter evaluation and short-term safety

Introduction This study aimed to evaluate the ablation performance and short-term safety of compound steep-pulse irreversible electroporation (CSP-IRE) and to refine treatment parameters for prostate ablation in a canine model. Methods Twenty healthy male Beagles were included in a sequential, stepwise parameter-optimization experiment. Single-pulse and compound-pulse protocols were compared, followed by evaluation of electric-field parameters, interelectrode spacing, and electrode insertion depth. Ablation area was assessed histopathologically, while procedure-related muscle contraction and perioperative clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated. Results The compound-pulse protocol produced a larger ablation area than the 5-μs and 50-μs single-pulse protocols (307.27 vs 39.30 and 64.44 mm 2 , respectively). Mean ablation areas in the low-, medium-, and high-parameter groups were 39.74 ± 43.45, 175.46 ± 94.08, and 228.49 ± 41.26 mm 2 , respectively. The medium- and high-parameter groups produced significantly larger ablation areas than the low-parameter group (P < 0.05), with no significant difference between the medium- and high-parameter groups. However, the high-parameter group induced greater muscle contraction than the medium-parameter group (P < 0.05). Mean ablation areas at interelectrode spacings of 10, 14, and 18 mm were 83.93 ± 25.31, 226.25 ± 108.25, and 216.20 ± 64.17 mm 2 , respectively. Increasing the insertion depth from 10 to 20 mm resulted in only a modest increase in ablation area (83.93 ± 25.31 vs 90.10 ± 32.92 mm 2 ). No serious adverse events were observed during the 7-day follow-up, and no clinically relevant changes were detected in erythrocyte, hemoglobin, or platelet measures, although transient leukocytosis occurred. Discussion The compound-pulse protocol demonstrated greater ablation efficacy than the single-pulse protocols. The medium-parameter protocol provided a favorable balance between ablation area and procedure-related muscle contraction. These findings support the short-term feasibility of CSP-IRE and provide a basis for further parameter refinement and validation.