(selective internal radiation therapy; SIRT) n. an *interventional radiology technique used in liver cancers. It is similar to *transarterial chemoembolization, but instead of a chemotherapeutic agent yttrium-90 particles are injected into the liver. These emit beta radiation, which kills the cells within 2 mm of their radius. SIRT is a palliative technique.
radiofrequency ablation (RFA) the selective destruction of abnormal conducting tissue in the heart by the targeted delivery of radiofrequency energy via a catheter under X-ray and electrocardiographic guidance. It is usually curative in patients with supraventricular re-entrant tachycardia and is the treatment of choice for this condition (see supraventricular tachycardia; Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome). It can be used for a variety of other arrhythmias with varying degrees of success. *Cryoablation is an alternative approach that uses freezing to destroy the abnormal tissue.
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