The novel power-pulse spray (P-PS) technique maximizes and combines the advantages and minimizes the disadvantages of both chemical thrombolysis (CT) and rheolytic thrombectomy (RT). Forty-nine consecutive patients with iliofemoral thrombotic occlusion were treated via P-PS technique. Using a 6 Fr RT catheter, saline prime was exchanged for thrombolytic solution [group 1, 10-20 mg tenecteplase (TNK)/50 cc saline, n = 25; group 2, 1,000,000 urokinase (UK)/50 cc saline, n = 24]. The outflow port was closed, then the catheter was advanced at 1 mm increments while pulsing lytic agent. After 30-min lysis time, RT and definitive treatment of the underlying stenosis were performed. Procedure success was 23/25 (92%) and 22/24 (91.6%) for group 1 and 2, respectively. The mean total procedure time was 72 and 75 min in group 1 and 2, respectively. Thirty-day limb salvage was 91% in both groups. There were no major surgical complications. The P-PS technique is safe and effective using either UK or TNK, offering several potential advantages over monotherapy, including more rapid revascularization, decreases systemic lytic exposure and bleeding complications while facilitating both CT and RT capacity and efficacy.

Although dilatation of the pulmonary artery (PA) is characteristic of pulmonic valve stenosis (PVS), the occurrence of a PA aneurysm in association with PVS is very rare. The authors describe a patient with severe, dome-shaped PVS who developed a 6.5 cm pulmonary trunk aneurysm. Long-term follow-up after surgical valvotomy demonstrated that the size of the aneurysm remained unchanged. Pertinent literature and implications on the natural history and management of these aneurysms are discussed.

The coexistence of different clinical syndromes due to atherosclerosis in different organs is not rare and emphasizes the diffuse nature of this vascular process. Although renovascular disease may cause hypertension and/or renal insufficiency, it may also occur in the absence of the usual clinical markers that suggest renovascular hypertension. We report a patient with stable coronary anatomy who presented with crescendo angina pectoris. Diagnosis of renovascular hypertension was made by screening renal angiography at the time of the cardiac catheterization. Renal artery stenting resulted in stabilization of the coronary syndrome and obviated the need for further coronary intervention. To our knowledge, this is the first case of renovascular hypertension precipitating an unstable coronary syndrome in a patient with documented stable coronary anatomy. Review of the literature supports that patients undergoing cardiac catheterization are a high risk population for renovascular disease, particularly in the presence of other predictive factors such as documented coronary artery disease, older age, female gender, congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, renal insufficiency, and smoking. Firm recommendations for routine screening renal angiography in patients undergoing peripheral or coronary angiography will need further studies.