Preliminary data from several multiple sclerosis patients who underwent CCSVI treatment shows that the treatment was safe, reduced disease symptoms and improved quality of life.
The results of CCSVI treatment on 125 patients will need to be supported with future controlled, randomized, blinded trials that evaluate surgical and endovascular options, said Dr. Manish Mehta, of the Albany (N.Y.) Medical College, at the Vascular Annual Meeting.
Dr. Manish Mehta
This follows Dr. Paolo Zamboni’s identification in 2009 of stenosis in the internal jugular veins and azygous vein of patients with MS (J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatry 2009;80:392-9), which he referred to as chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency, or CCSVI.
“Dr. Zamboni’s theory has been that stasis of blood can cause reflux, and reflux can cause propagation and [can] break down the blood-brain barrier,” said Dr. Mehta. As a result micro bleeds can let red blood cells escape into the brain matter, leading to hemosiderin deposits that can become the inflammatory facilitation necessary for an autoimmune response, he added.
It is unclear if the relationship between CCSVI and MS is causative, or if CCSVI could play a role in the etiology of the disease.
In 2009, Dr. Zamboni described 65 patients who had significant improvements in functional composite scores and quality of life one year after CCSVI treatment. (J. Vasc. Surg. 2009;50;1348-58.e1-3).
This preliminary data that Dr. Mehta presented at the meeting was from the LIBERATION study, which was created to assess the use of balloon angioplasty for people with CCSVI and MS. It is a prospective, double-blind, randomized study that is enrolling 600 patients.
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I have MS since diagnosed in 2004, which I think I had earlier. I tried Betaseron,Copaxone which did not help. I had over 100 in antibodies which shows treatment does not work. I am trying clondrabrine injections presently;on my third year that does something to my white blood cells. FDA did not approve the oral treatment. It seems to be helping the mylen to a minimum according to my MRI.
I read Montel Williams had the CCSVI treatment and heat does not bother him any longer, but he still has pain in his legs. I love the beach, and I wish I could be in the heat without worrying about having a relapse and/or exascerbation; a setback. I do not want constant relapsing MS. I will ask my doctor if I can get this MRI/Doppler of my neck and all veins to see if I would be a candidate. I am worried however, because this surgery has high risks. We all want to live longer and we are willing to try anything to live and be independent. What do we do?
Research must be on the right track. They receive so much money, but years go by with little progress. This is the only promising treatment, but I want to know how many people do not survive this surgery;is it worth putting your life on the line;we want to extend our life no end it abruptly. What to do?
Hi Valerie,
Thank you for sharing that with us.
You are welcome to speak to a case manager regarding specific statistics for our CCSVI program, as well as past patient outcomes.
You can do this by calling us on 1-866-668-9263. Or you can fill in the contact form
on the CCSVI website.
I hope that helps,
Roisin