Percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty of congenital pulmonary valve stenosis, with a special report on infants and neonates.

Fifty-six percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty procedures were performed in 51 patients suffering from congenital pulmonary valve stenosis. The patients ranged in age from 1 day to 60 years (mean 6.9 years); 21 were infants less than 1 year of age, including 8 neonates. The peak systolic pressure gradient was greater than 50 mm Hg (mean 81.5) in 47 cases, and less than 50 mm Hg (mean 34.6) in 9. Valvuloplasty enabled a reduction in the mean right ventricular peak systolic pressure from 93.1 to 51.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.001), the mean transvalvular gradient from 73.4 to 27.0 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) and the mean right ventricular pressure expressed as a percent of systemic pressure from 99.5 to 52.0% (p less than 0.001). In infants and neonates, the mean right ventricular pressure expressed as a percent of systemic pressure decreased from 117.3 to 64.4% (p less than 0.001). In 23 patients, follow-up cardiac catheterization at 1 to 17 months revealed a significant change in the right ventricular systolic pressure, which decreased from 54.0 to 46.7 mm Hg (p less than 0.05), and in the peak systolic pressure gradient, which decreased from 27.3 to 22.6 mm Hg (p less than 0.05). Valvuloplasty is an effective procedure in relieving pulmonary stenosis in patients of all ages, including neonates.

Percutaneous balloon angioplasty in an infant with obstructed total anomalous pulmonary vein return.

This is a report of successful dilation of stenosis of the common trunk in a case of total anomalous pulmonary vein return into the left superior vena cava in a 3 month old infant. Percutaneous angioplasty was performed with a 6 mm diameter balloon catheter. Right ventricular systolic pressure decreased from 96 to 60 mm Hg, mean pulmonary vein pressure decreased from 26 to 14 mm Hg and left ventricular systolic pressure increased from 70 to 90 mm Hg.

Predictive factors of effectiveness of streptokinase in deep venous thrombosis.

In a prospective study, 174 patients (118 women and 56 men, average age 44 years, range 14 to 82) with proximal extensive thrombosis received streptokinase (100,000 U/hour) for an average of 2.8 days (range 0.5 to 7) through the catheter of a temporary caval filter. Twenty-seven of 45 (60%) patients with nonocclusive clots were completely free of clots at the second phlebography versus 17 of 116 (14%) with occlusive clots (p less than 0.001). Among nonocclusive clots, proximal ones (caval, iliac and femoral) were more easily lysed than popliteal clots (88 of 116 [76%] vs 26 of 58 [45%]; p less than 0.001). In 41 of 132 (31%) patients, a daily injection of contrast medium through the filter-carrying catheter enabled the observation of a clot in the filter, which was lysed by streptokinase. Seventy patients with follow-up greater than 2 years (median 34 months) were examined clinically. Nineteen of 22 (86%) patients with venograms free of clots at discharge were free of clinical sequelae versus 16 of 48 (33%) without normal venograms (p less than 0.001). It is concluded that: (1) in the case of occlusive clots, only a few patients were normalized after streptokinase; (2) proximal nonocclusive clots were most effectively lysed; (3) when venograms were free of clots at discharge, the majority of patients did not have venous sequelae at follow-up; and (4) embolic migration seems to occur frequently with streptokinase.

Multifocal peripheral and coronary angioplasties.

Multifocal atherosclerotic lesions are frequent. It could thus be expected that multifocal angioplasties (performed in one particular patient on several [iliofemoral, renal, subclavian, mesenteric, coronary] sites) are frequent. To study multifocal angioplasty, we considered the 5344 angioplasties (PTA) (4151 coronary and 1193 peripheral PTA) which had been performed over 10 years in our institution. Eighty PTA (1.5%) were considered as multifocal angioplasty. They were performed in 30 patients who were followed up during 7 to 132 months (mean = 55). In case of primary PTA (72 PTA), the most frequent involved site was the iliofemoral site (47%) followed by renal (35%), coronary (8%), subclavian (7%) and mesenteric sites (3%). Eight PTA were performed after primary failure (3 cases) or after restenosis (5 cases). The 30 patients were divided into 2 groups according to the chronology of multifocal PTA. In group I, 20 patients had multifocal lesions on the first workup and multifocal angiopathy over a short operative period (< 3 months). The 10 patients of group II initially had a single procedure. They subsequently had multifocal angioplasty over a longer period (> 2 years) on different sites of the first PTA. Compared to group I, mean age was lower in group II (46 vs 52 year; ns), primary success rate higher (100 vs 90%; p < 0.05), complications less frequent (3 vs 20%, p < 0.05) and restenosis rate lower (7 vs 21%; p < 0.01). In conclusion, multifocal angioplasty is infrequent. A specific group of patients who had multifocal angioplasty spread over several months or years could be individualized.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Comparative diagnostic value of ankle-to-brachial index and transcutaneous oxygen tension at rest and after exercise in patients with intermittent claudication.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have compared sensitivities of ankle-to-brachial index (ABI) and transcutaneous oxygen tension (TcPO2) in a large group of patients with Leriche stage II intermittent claudication. METHOD AND RESULTS: 111 patients (138 limbs) with a stable chronic (> three months) intermittent claudication and significant peripheral vascular disease (PVD) proved by angiography were studied. They performed a treadmill test (10%, 3 km/hr) limited by limb pain. ABI and TcPO2 were measured before, just after exercise, and after three and ten minutes of recovery in supine position. Sensitivities per patient for ABI and TcPO2 were respectively at rest: 82.9% and 28.8%, and after exercise: 88.3% and 62.2%. Sensitivities per leg (n = 138) for ABI and TcPO2 were respectively at rest: 73.9% and 26.8%, and after exercise: 82.6% and 34%. The sensitivity of TcPO2 increased to 56.5% after three minutes of recovery but was always less than that of ABI, which was maximal just after exercise (82.6%). The sensitivity of the regional perfusion index was similar to that of TcPO2. The sensitivity of TcPO2 increased with respect to the Leriche stage and the number of lesions but was always lower than that of ABI. There was a weak correlation between TcPO2 and ABI after exercise, but no correlation was noted between maximal walking distance, ABI, and TcPO2. CONCLUSION: TcPO2 is not required in patients with Leriche stage II intermittent claudication but might be useful either in severely affected patients (Leriche stage III or IV) or in selected patients.

Long-term follow-up after peripheral and coronary angioplasty in patients undergoing both types of procedure.

Restenosis rates after peripheral and coronary angioplasties have been assessed only in patients who had either peripheral angioplasty or coronary angioplasty but never in patients who had both types. Among the 6364 angioplasties performed in the authors' institution since 1980, they studied 38 patients (36 men, 2 women, mean age fifty-five years, range thirty-four to seventy-seven) who had both peripheral and coronary angioplasty. The peripheral angioplasties were most often performed on iliac artery stenoses. They were performed before coronary angioplasty in 22 patients (58%) and after coronary angioplasty in 16 patients (42%). The follow-up after peripheral angioplasty was based on clinical data; ultrasound investigation was performed when the result of the clinical follow-up was poor (maximal walking distance lower than 500 meters). Follow-up after coronary angioplasty was assessed by a systematic coronary angiography at six months and with long-term clinical follow-up. The mean durations of the follow-up after peripheral or coronary angioplasty were not significantly different (respectively fifty-six +/- eleven and forty-two +/- nine months [mean +/- 2 SEM]). No patient was lost to clinical follow-up; 17 (45%) ultrasound investigations, 12 (32%) peripheral angiographies, and 34 (89%) coronary angiographies were performed. The restenosis rate after peripheral angioplasty was 18% and that after coronary angioplasty was 34%. These rates are similar to the classic rates observed in the literature. In conclusion, as reported for either procedure alone, the restenosis rates after peripheral angioplasty and after coronary angioplasty are different when assessed in patients who undergo both types of angioplasty.

Percutaneous transluminal balloon valvuloplasty in congenital pulmonary valve stenosis.

From March 1984 to September 1986, 49 transluminal balloon valvuloplasties (TBVs) were performed in 44 consecutive patients with congenital pulmonary valve stenosis, aged 1 day to 60 years. Seventeen of the patients were infants aged less than 1 year, five of whom were neonates. The peak systolic gradient was greater than 50 mm Hg (mean, 80.0 mm Hg) in 36 patients and was less than 50 mm Hg (mean, 35.4 mm Hg) in eight. A single balloon catheter was used in 41 cases, and two balloon catheters were used in eight cases. In patients with a gradient greater than 50 mm Hg, the mean right ventricular peak systolic pressure was reduced from 99.8 to 51.8 mm Hg, and the mean transvalvular gradient was reduced from 80.0 to 22.4 mm Hg. In infants and neonates, the mean right ventricular pressure expressed as a percentage of systemic pressure decreased from 122.2% to 63.5%. Follow-up cardiac catheterization 1 to 17 months later (in 19 cases) revealed no significant change in the right ventricular systolic pressure (which had decreased from 53.0 to 48.5 mm Hg) or the peak systolic pressure gradient (which had decreased from 29.0 to 24.5 mm Hg), in comparison with the changes seen immediately after TBV. Thus, TBV is an effective method of relieving pulmonary stenosis in patients of all ages, including neonates.

Use of Ethibloc in the treatment of cystic and venous angiomas in children. 19 cases.

The authors report the use of Ethibloc in the treatment of cystic lymphangiomas and venous angiomas in 19 children. This embolizing product is injected by puncture in situ. Ten cystic lymphangiomas were treated, including 7 of the cervico-facial region. Of these ten, 8 were embolized initially using Ethibloc, and 2 after surgery. The diagnosis was always confirmed by echography and in some cases also by scanner. Six were completely cured and 2 had partial but satisfactory results requiring further injections. The final 2 cases when Ethibloc was administered after surgery, gave very disappointing results as the residual lesion was microcystic and thus difficult to access for the Ethibloc injection. The 9 venous angiomas involved various regions, including 5 facial lesions. These angiomas required a more extensive blood-clotting and radiologic assessment: standard radiography to detect the clot, Doppler echography and M.R.I. precisely clarifying the exact extension in depth. For 6 patients the cure was complete, for 2 others the results were good. Finally, in 1 case Ethibloc embolization was carried out prior to surgery, allowing definitive cure. In all, this technique resulted in a complete cure in 2/3 of the cases and its simplicity makes it a seemingly interesting alternative to surgery.

[Double superior vena cava with drainage of the right superior vena cava into the left auricle. Presentation as a cerebral abscess in an adult]. / Veine cave supérieure double avec drainage de la veine cave supérieure droite dans l'oreillette gauche. Révélation par un abcès cérébral chez un adulte.

A 44 year old man presented with a cerebral abscess, the location of which suggested a septicaemic origin. Although the patient was not cyanosed, a cardiological work-up was requested to exclude a right-to-left shunt. This showed a double abnormality of the systemic venous drainage: presence of an abnormal left superior vena cava draining into the coronary sinus and of a right superior vena cava draining into the left atrium. These two vena cava intercommunicated by anastomoses. Angiography in the right superior vena cava after occlusion by balloon catheter at its junction with the left atrium showed flow from the right to the left superior vena cava and to the azygos system. Simple ligature of the right superior vena cava was therefore performed to prevent recurrence of cerebral abscess. This case is rare and of interest because of the presence of two superior vena cavae, one on the right draining into the left atrium and the other on the left draining into the coronary sinus, with anastomoses between the two superior vena cavae. This double abnormality of systemic venous drainage explains the absence of cyanosis and therefore the relatively late detection of this malformation.

[Percutaneous implantation of endoprosthesis for stenosis of branches of the pulmonary artery. Apropos of a case]. / Implantation percutanée d'endoprothèses pour sténoses des branches de l'artère pulmonaire. A propos d'un cas.

The authors report the case of a young man operated for tetralogy of Fallot and in whom surgical treatment of severe stenosis of the origins of the right and left pulmonary arteries had failed. Correction of these stenoses was obtained by implanting percutaneously an endoprosthesis in the right pulmonary artery with a good result: control angiography showed that the stenosis had disappeared and an increase in the right pulmonary artery diameter from: 5 to 11 mm, and the left pulmonary artery diameter from 7 to 14 mm. Perfusion pulmonary scintigraphy showed equal flow in the two lungs.

[Percutaneous transluminal valvuloplasty in pulmonary stenosis. Apropos of 24 cases]. / Valvuloplastie transluminale percutanée des sténoses pulmonaires. A propos de 24 cas.

Twenty-four patients with moderate or severe valvular pulmonary stenosis were treated by percutaneous transluminal valvuloplasty (PTV). The age of the patients ranged from 24 hours to 27 years. Eighteen patients (group I) had a right ventricle-pulmonary artery (RV-PA) pressure gradient greater than 50 mmHg (measured simultaneously or during catheter withdrawal). Six patients (group II) had RV-PA pre-sure gradients of less than 50 mmHg. Twenty-seven PTV procedures were performed. Six of the 24 patients were under 2 months of age, including 4 who were less than 1 week old. The youngest patient (under 24 hours old) had valvular pulmonary stenosis, very nearly atresia. PTV was carried out using Rashkind's technique on 2 occasions and with a dilatation catheter with a balloon of 6 to 20 mm of diameter on the other 25 occasions. In 6 cases, 2 dilatation catheters were introduced and inflated simultaneously in the pulmonary valve. The overall results were satisfactory: RV pressure fell from 87.6 to 54.4 mmHg, the RV-PA gradient from 72.3 to 31.9 mmHg and the ratio of RV/systemic pressure from 104.4 to 51.1. The improvement was more marked in group I than in group II. The causes of failure are discussed: valvular dysplasia, severe infundibular hypertrophy, inadequate diameter of the balloon. Tolerance of PTV was very good. The value of this procedure is emphasised. It may save surgical valvotomy in high risk groups of patients, such as the newborn and infants. The haemodynamic results of PTV are maintained at long-term, but the number of cases is still too small.

[Dilatation of critical aortic value stenosis in infants under 3 months of age. Our experience from 15 cases]. / Dilatation des sténoses valvulaires aortiques critiques chez le nourrisson âgé de moins de 3 mois. Expérience à partir de 15 cas.

Between April 1988 and October 1992, 15 consecutive infants aged less than 3 months (average 17 days) with critical valvular stenosis underwent balloon dilatation. Thirteen were less than 1 month old and all had low output syndromes. The diagnosis and follow-up assessments were made by Doppler echocardiography. Before valvuloplasty the maximum instantaneous gradient was 75 +/- 34 mmHg. The average diameter of the aortic ring was 6.8 +/- 1.3 mm. Seven patients had aortic rings with diameters of less than 7 mm. Ten infants had a right-to-left shunt via a patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonary hypertension. Dilatation was performed after surgical denudation of the left carotid artery: a balloon catheter with a diameter 0.85 times that of the aortic ring was used. After dilatation, the gradient was 26 +/- 18 mmHg (p < 0.001). Grade I aortic regurgitation was observed in 4 cases and Grade II in 2 cases. Eight patients died 1 to 100 days after dilatation (seven of low output and one sudden death). Of these patients, 6 had aortic rings < 7 mm diameter. The average follow-up was 20.6 +/- 15.5 months (range 2 to 48 months). None of the patients had a precordial or carotid diastolic murmur. The gradient increased with improvement in left ventricular function. Two patients had a stable Grade I aortic regurgitation. Carotid Doppler echocardiographic control examinations performed in 4 patients were normal. Poor prognostic factors were: aortic ring diameter < 7 mm (p < 0.025) and a low gradient after dilatation (p < 0.012).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Kidney angioplasty. Long-term clinical and angiographic results apropos of 50 patients]. / L'angioplastie rénale. Résultats cliniques et angiographiques à long terme à propos de 50 patients.

In order to evaluate the long-term results of renal angioplasty with a follow-up of at least 3 years, we reviewed the first 50 patients who were treated by this technique for renovascular hypertension. The 42 patients (85 p. 100) in whom the angioplasty was technically successful were followed up both clinically and radiologically, using intravenous digital angiography. The clinical follow-up lasted 52 months on average (range: 8 to 96 months) and reached 3 years or more in 37 patients (4 patients died and 1 was lost sight of). The hypertension returned in 19 of the 42 patients (45 p. 100), the relapse occurring after 24 months in 8 cases. Thirteen of these patients accepted a control angiography which showed restenosis in 11 cases. At the end of the follow-up period, and after a second dilatation in some cases, 30 (60 p. 100) of the 50 patients were found to have benefited from the angioplasty (20 p. 100 were cured and 40 p. 100 were improved). 80 p. 100 of the patients whose renal artery stenosis was due to fibromuscular dysplasia (n = 10) were cured or improved, as were 66 p. 100 of the patients with "localized atheroma" (n = 12), but patients with severe and diffuse atheromatous lesions (n = 28) did not respond so well (7 p. 100 cured, 43 p. 100 improved), and all the major complications of the procedure occurred in this group. The radiological follow-up was performed in 36 patients over a mean period of 31 months (range: 1 to 96 months).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Compression of the right pulmonary artery by chronic aortic dissection]. / Compression de l'artère pulmonaire droite par une dissection aortique chronique.

The authors report the case of a 56-year old woman who had presented with clinical symptoms resembling those of pulmonary embolism and due to chronic dissection of the first aortic segment compressing the right branch of the pulmonary artery. Eighteen months after the acute episode, the diagnosis was suspected at echocardiography, but the other paraclinical examinations performed (scintigraphy of the lung, angiography, computerized tomography) failed to display the aortic dissection, although they enabled the diagnosis to be approached and the physiopathology to be determined. At surgery, a type II dissection was discovered, the compression was relieved and the pulmonary artery was recanalized. The post-operative period was uneventful, with return to normal of the scintigraphic and CT images. This case is exceptional in that it is extremely rare (this is the 6 th case reported) and the lesion was well tolerated, probably due to the presence of a systemic-pulmonary circulation.

[Temporary caval filter allowing diagnosis and fibrinolytic therapy in patients suspect of massive pulmonary embolism]. / Filtre cave temporaire permettant le diagnostic et la fibrinolyse chez les patients suspects d'embolie pulmonaire massive.

The authors propose a therapeutic strategy enabling diagnosis, treatment and prevention in the same clinical procedure based on a series of 8 patients presenting with signs of massive pulmonary embolism (acute cardiorespiratory distress, shock, loss of consciousness, and/or cardiac arrest). A removable vena cava filter is rapidly introduced percutaneously via a brachial, femoral or jugular vein, and opened in the inferior vena cava. Using the same catheter and without a second venous puncture, pulmonary angiography and cavography are performed by digitised angiography using a small quantity of contrast medium (40 ml, 12 ml/sec). The diagnosis of massive pulmonary embolism (index of pulmonary obstruction 70 to 90%) was confirmed in 6 out of the 8 cases. In 2 patients, the contrast medium passed from the right atrium into the left atrium and one of the patients developed hemiplegia. Thrombolytic drugs (rt-PA followed by Streptokinase) were injected via the same filter catheter. The dosage of rt-PA was 20 to 50 mg as a bolus followed by 50 mg in 2 hours. Streptokinase was then infused at a dose of 100,000 U/hour for an average of 36 hours (24-48 hours), followed by intravenous heparin and oral vitamin K antagonists. Two patients required blood transfusion for haemorrhage during the relay with heparin. The temporary caval filter was removed in all cases but 3 patients required a definitive filter because of the persistence of life-threatening venous thrombosis. Seven of the 8 patients survived their pulmonary embolism. This approach is rapid, saves time, and spares the patients from more invasive procedures.

[A new method of laser angioplasty by contact sapphire: preliminary results. Apropos of 20 cases]. / Nouvelle méthode d'angioplastie laser par saphir de contact des artères périphériques: résultats préliminaires. A propos de 20 cas.

We report our first 20 cases of peripheral laser angioplasty using an optic fibre with contact sapphire tip. The equipment included a teflon catheter on which was screwed a round sapphire 2.2 mm in diameter. A 600 microns optic fibre connected to a Nd-Yag laser instrument was introduced into the catheter and placed in contact with the sapphire. Twenty patients underwent recanalization of femoral or popliteal arteries occluded on a length of 5 to 45 cm. The sapphire-tipped catheter was introduced by the Seldinger technique up to the site of occlusion. The 15 watt laser emission was set at intervals of one second. Sixteen out of the 20 occluded arteries were recanalized. Among the 4 failures, 3 were due to perforation and 1 to intraparietal progression. Angioplasty was performed with laser alone in 3 cases and with laser completed by balloon catheter in 13 cases. The minimum diameter of the laser-induced channel was 2 mm and was significantly increased (3.8 mm) by complementary balloon dilatation. In the 3 patients who underwent laser angioplasty alone, no noticeable improvement in distal blood flow was demonstrated by doppler velocimetry, and reocclusion occurred either soon afterwards (n = 2) or later (n = 1). Midterm results were much better in patients who had had additional balloon dilatation: early (3rd day) or late (2 months) reocclusion took place in only 3 patients. In the remaining 10 patients, followed up for periods of 1 week to 18 months (mean: 6 months), clinical improvement and recanalization were maintained.

[Congenital agenesis of the inferior vena cava. Apropos of a case presenting as an ilio-femoral phlebitis. Contribution of echography and x-ray computed tomography]. / L'agénésie congénitale de la veine cave inférieure. A propos d'un cas révélé par une phlébite ilio-fémorale. Apport de l'échographie et de la tomodensitométrie.

The authors report the case of a young patient, 24 years old, hospitalized for a phlebitis of the right inferior member. The cause determined by venous angiography, echography and computed tomography, was a congenital agenesis of the inferior vena cava. This case allows to remember the embryology of the congenital anomalous inferior vena cava, which are rare and often unknown.

[Superficial and peripheral vascular malformations. Role of interventional radiology and of embolization]. / Les malformations vasculaires superficielles et périphériques. Place de la radiologie interventionnelle et de l'embolisation.

Embolization plays a major role in the management of arteriovenous malformations and fistulae on one hand, and of venous malformations and cystic lymphangiomas on the other hand. The treatment of arteriovenous fistulae today resorts to a primarily endovascular technique including the insertion under controlled flow of a releasable balloon or of a metallic coil positioned in the area of the fistula. Of course, this is possible only if there is a gap between the arterial and venous pathways. When the vessels are in direct contact, surgery must be preferred. In cases of arteriovenous malformations, embolization currently plays a great role; either it is performed with particles in the immediate preoperative period, two or three days before surgery, or as a definitive curative treatment with a polymerizing substance applied in situ. The use of flexible microcatheters allows penetrating into most of these vascular malformations and scattering polymerizing material all over the shunting areas. This is possible for superficial malformations, as is now performed, for instance, for brain AVMs. This embolization obviously can be contemplated only after a decision to treat these malformations has been made, knowing that they may be silent or acquire an uncontrollable evolution potential. This therefore is a collegial decision. As far as venous hemangiomas and cystic lymphangiomas are concerned, the greatest basic therapeutic means today is direct puncture and the in situ injection of a fibrosing substance under angiographic monitoring: the use of Ethibloc or, failing this, of absolute alcohol, has dramatically transformed the prognosis of these malformations, for which the surgical difficulties are well known (easy rupture, blood that often fails to coagulate, life-long progressive evolution).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Acute renal insufficiency and accelerated arterial hypertension of renovascular origin: treatment by endoluminal angioplasty. Apropos of 2 cases]. / Insuffisance rénale aiguë et hypertension artérielle accélérée d'origine réno-vasculaire: traitement par angioplastie endoluminale. A propos de deaux observations.

In 2 patients with malignant hypertension and acute renal failure due to renal artery stenosis in a solitary functioning kidney, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was used to dilate the stenotic renal artery. In both cases, hypertension resolved and renal function significantly improved. Follow-up angiographies revealed the continued patency of the dilated vascular segments.

[Chronic unilateral obstruction to pulmonary venous return. A study on 6 cases and review of the published literature (author's transl)]. / Les obstructions unilatérales chroniques au retour veineux pulmonaire. Etude de 6 observations et revue de la littérature.

The authors describe 6 cases of unilateral obstruction to pulmonary venous return: two cases of Halasz syndrome and postoperative obstruction of the reimplanted collector vein, one patient with Halasz syndrome and spontaneous obstruction of the vein in the form of a scimitar, one case of neoplastic invasion of the atrium-vein junction, one with unilateral absence of the right intra- and extraparenchymatous regions of the pulmonary veins, and lastly, a case of juxta-auricular interruption in the right pulmonary veins. The anatomy and physiopathology of the collateral venous pathways are briefly described, together with the relations between systemic arterial hypervascularization and pulmonary venous obstruction. The authors then review the radiological, clinical, and angiohemodynamic features of the unilateral venous obstruction syndrome, and conclude that precise diagnosis of venous occlusion, its location, and its tolerance are essential for deciding the therapeutic measures required.