The science and politics of CCSVI and Multiple Sclerosis

February 12, 2010 08:55 by Dr. Lorne Brandes

The headline over the Feb. 10, 2010 news release from the University of Buffalo, “First blinded study of venous insufficiency prevalence in MS shows promising results” seemed straightforward and encouraging. The statement went on to explain that, in the initial phase of the 500-patient trial, ultrasound (Doppler) examinations unequivocally showed narrowed neck or chest veins in 62% of patients with MS compared to 26% of normal volunteers. Complete data on these subjects will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology meeting in April.

Describing himself as “cautiously optimistic and excited”, the study’s principle investigator, Dr. Robert Zivadinov, went on to say “[the data] show that narrowing of the extracranial veins, at the very least, is an important association in multiple sclerosis.”

To most observers, Zivadinov’s preliminary results lend a significant degree of credence to Dr. Paolo Zamboni’s as-yet unproven hypothesis that multiple sclerosis is primarily a vascular, rather than an auto-immune disease. Zamboni has coined the term CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency) to describe the toxic backup and leakage of iron-containing blood into the brain resulting from obstructive vein abnormalities in the neck or chest, that he believes is at the root of MS lesions or “plaques”.

Yet, the “spin” on the significance of Zivadinov’s findings depends on which news source reported them. For example, The Globe and Mail story header read, “Second MS study finds high rate of blocked veins”, while that in the National Post stated, “Research casts doubt on new MS theory”.

Like other major news media, including the BBC , London’s Daily Telegraph, and the Canadian Press , The Globe and Mail report, written by Caroline Alphonso, limited itself to a factual report on the Buffalo results, and included comments on the inherent weaknesses in the studies to date.

On the other hand, the National Post story, by Tom Blackwell seemed to display a distinctly negative tone. Yet, that should not come as a total surprise as it was consistent with a previous piece Blackwell wrote in the NP, entitled, “Is new MS research the real thing, or a media-driven frenzy?” It was accompanied by an article, “A cure in sight? Not so fast”, with the sub-heading “Media coverage reeks of typical hope-mongering”, authored by Financial Post editor, Terence Corcoran.

What is going on here?

All journalists have their expert “sources”. For example, over the years, I have advised CTV’s Avis Favaro, among others. Similarly, readers of Tom Blackwell may conclude that one of his expert sources is Dr. Mark Freedman, head of U. of Ottawa’s MS program. Dr. Freedman’s mainstream orthodoxy in the immunological treatment of MS, and his negative opinion of Dr. Zamboni and CCSVI is well documented. "I think there are going to be millions of dollars spent now to follow a hoax.... If I thought for one instant there was substance to this, I'd be all over it,” Freedman told Blackwell in January, before the interim results came out of Buffalo.

And what did Dr. Freedman think of Zivadinov’s new findings? Commenting in Blackwell’s latest NP story on the Buffalo data showing that abnormal veins were between 2 and 3 times more common in MS patients as compared to the nine-to-one ratio reported by Dr. Zamboni, he stated, "The whole notion of cause and effect is out the window."

Now, this is a free country where Mark Freedman, Tom Blackwell and Terence Corcoran, are entitled to their opinions. But, should not everyone, especially physicians and scientists, maintain an open mind to new and provocative information? As I noted in a previous posting, history provides us with some very sad examples attendant on the reflexive rejection of new ideas without any thought or inquiry as to their validity. Should we not learn from the past? And if we do not, how will progress be made, especially in science and the treatment of disease?

Before giving you my personal thoughts on where we currently stand with CCSVI, it is important to remember that I am an oncologist, not a neurologist, and certainly not an MS expert like Dr. Freedman. However, especially when judging the merit of new theories, sometimes outsiders to a specialty can see the “big picture” with more clarity (and perhaps less bias) than those who are “up close and personal”. And as one who, for over 35 years, has been heavily involved in laboratory and clinical research, I believe I know a thing or two about science and (sadly) the politics of science.

First, I continue to believe that the CCSVI theory of MS proposed by Dr. Zamboni is scientifically plausible and deserving of serious and intensive investigation. Those health professionals, and others who, for whatever reason, remain in denial should get over it and commit to finding the answer rather than obstructing progress.

Second, I believe that the preliminary findings of Dr. Zivadinov and his colleagues in Buffalo are significant and support a link between MS and CCSVI. However, their early data are not as robust as Dr. Zamboni’s and their study raises many new questions. For example, what is the true incidence of vein abnormalities in MS patients and normal controls? Does MS only occur or progress in people with more severe types of venous obstruction?

While we do not yet know, it is important to understand that Dr. Zamboni used both ultrasound and the direct injection of dye into veins (called venography) to obtain his results. The first phase of the Buffalo study employed only ultrasound. Of the two tests, venography is more sensitive and definitive in demonstrating anatomical abnormalities and blockage in veins, akin to angiograms being the “gold standard” in diagnosing coronary artery disease in the heart. In acknowledging this important difference, Dr. Zivadinov has stated that more “advanced diagnostic tools” (including, I suspect, venography) will be used to test the next 500 subjects in his study.

Finally, taking into account Dr. Zamboni’s preliminary results, there is no “level 1” evidence that unblocking veins is an effective treatment for any type of MS. As Paolo Zamboni himself has stated, the answer to that most important question will require further independent assessment and will take time, probably 3 to 5 years at a minimum, to answer. Until then, I strongly advise that patients wishing to have their veins tested, and an unblocking procedure performed, should do so only in approved clinical trials that are properly designed to insure their safety and provide an accurate assessment of efficacy.

In this respect, Canadian MS patients are especially fortunate that centres at McMaster and UBC already have teams of neurologists, radiologists and vascular surgeons who are committed to carrying out these complex studies. While they have our thanks and best wishes for success, they also desperately need our donations. Please be generous and help if you can.

Immunity, leukemia and multiple sclerosis: A tale of two studies and their politics Coffee, alcohol and cancer: To drink or not to drink?Is it possible to drown on dry land?

Comments

February 12. 2010 18:04

Dr. Brandes Thank you for your support in this area (why I don't know CCSVI should be treated as controversial) We Ms'ers are on an uphill battle and why should that be when the most revolutionary possible research in 70 years for MS has to be fought tooth and nail with our MS Societies in various provinces. They decide to offer $100,000 for ... See Moreresearch when I see places around the world offering MILLIONS to aid in this breakthrough research. Your Network and Reporters have contributed more in my opinion than our MS Society for which we volunteer our time to help in Walks Bike rides, Various fund raising activities. You are right as this has now become a political fight and should the science and Doctor Zamboni's not be in the headlines. I went to my local chapter this mornning and there is nothing they could provide me on CCSVI in print all they could do was refer me to the internet or their Toronto Office.

Places like Poland and Bulgaria are taking the the lead on CCSVI and people are running to these countries to spend their hard earned money to be Liberated of this crippling disease and all our Ms Society can hand over is $100,000. To me as an MS patient that has contributed to the MS Society of Canada, this hurts and I applaud You and Avis Favro and all other health proffessionals for sticking up for us. Thank you.
Jamie

Jamie Chalmers

February 13. 2010 06:05

Thank you so much for being open and fair in your article/blog. My focus for my MS is to have my Azygos vein investigated and I noticed there isnt as much focus on this thorasic vein drainage stenosis as there is on the jugular investigations. ALL my MS legions and nerve plaques are along the T zone of my spine and NONE on my brain whatsoever. So, I feel I am justified in thinking my Azygos vein is severely compromised. Who will test this for me here in Australia? Probably nobody. I am tired of the severe spasms and am on a waiting list to get Intrathecal baclofen pump - YES, it's come to that! medications dont work and i cannot sleep. If someone could help me or guide me to getting my azygos vein tested and opened/liberated in a trial setting here in Australia, i PLEAD you to help steer me in that direction. Limited funds but i'll take out a loan, i've had enough. i dont expect to walk anymore, just need urgent help with spasms.

Friday

February 13. 2010 08:51

My focus for MS is to have my neck veins and Azygos veins scanned. Having this for 14 years and know that opening the jugular veins as well the azygos vein can give me a better quality of life. Yes, there May BE complications along the way, I'm ready to take that chance. This is Canada where casution is taken no matter what. Like the comment before me I want this treatment now. I can't wait two years for the studies to end only to be told it's ok. I've never had pain, incontnence or fatigue that others talk about. I simply can't walk but have pins & needles and inflammiation in my lower limbs for 14 years what is that if it isn't poor blood fow. My family is as excited as I am.. Please help me.

Geraldine Murphy

February 13. 2010 11:11

THe number of Buffallo are not well presented, they did took in their experience people with not defintite diagnosis... so if we count only people with definite MS the number are much the same than the Zamboni one's .... it is 80 % .
80% of the people with a definite diagnosis of ms did have pathological veins.

Barbara Gagne

February 13. 2010 20:39

I have been tested 2 times and yes the correct way, which if I hear one more time are you sure I think I will scream. I do not have any stenosed veins at all. The numbers in the Buffalo study do speak in favor of not all MS patients have stenosed veins, which leads me to believe the stenosed veins are a result of MS and not the cause of MS. I say this because I an newly diagnosed and again, yes I was tested for Lupus, Lyme's Disease and every other gosh darn disease under the sun. Also, what about the 25% of patients who had stenosed veins and did not have MS, when I think of this I have to say that stenosed veins are neither the cause or or effect of MS. I guess in 3 to 5 years someone will really know and I would actually like a big name university such as Harvard, UPenn, Mayo, or Johns Hopkins to be active in this study, this is the only way it will be heard full force in the US media. Because big name universities are not involved it leads me to believe that they don't feel this is credible, but again as I said, only time will tell.

Rather Not Say

February 13. 2010 20:49

The Buffalo study did not appear to address any imaging of the Azygos vein. I want to know: In the patients Zamboni studied, what was the ratio of CCSVI found in the Internal Jugular Veins (IJV) vs. the Azygous (AZY) vein?

I wondered if this might account for some of the "discrepancy" between the 90% ratio from Dr. Zamboni's initial study, vs the 55% found in the Buffalo study. It seems to me that stenosis in the AZY would be a critical factor (my MS was diagnosed on the basis of spinal lesions). How do we know that one third of MS patients don't have AZY stenosis? If that were true, then the numbers could end up being very similar.

Freedman et al seem to criticise lack of data in Zambini's small "un" controlled study, but sure have jumped all over the preliminary Buffalo data, where there is still so much more analysis of the data required! They are happy spending millions to do risky immune system re-boots in a study of only a dozen patients, but only want to offer a couple hundred thousand for CCSVI studies. Come on... a > 50% association between CCSVI and MS shows a VERY significant association, let's spend some money and figure out WHY!

PS: To Dr. Brandes and CTV, thank you for adding a "rational" voice to this discussion!

James Mossman

February 13. 2010 22:56

I primarily want to offer my thanks. So thank you for your words.

I too do not understand why researching this is a problem. I do not believe that pharmaceutical companies could influence to this extent as I get the feeling that professional snobbery is at work here.

I live in the UK where we are having to campaign to even get research done here.

I would like to see the reults from Poland, are these published/available?

Jarrod Robinson

February 14. 2010 00:21

When I saw the W5 program about Zamboni, I got my church group praying and went looking for someone to treat my wife of 34 years. Thankfully Dr. Simka of Poland offered to treat her and on December 29, 2009 she had her left jugular vein unblocked. Since then she is like a new person, no more double vision, no blurred vision, full bladder control, no more extreme tiredness. All the folks urging caution, more study, not proven etc. none of them suffer from MS but all of them directly live off the suffering of MS patients. When my wife's suffering is at stake or the caregivers' pocket book, it seems that pocket book talks. Besides the financial downside, the decades spent in futile research must also impact the ego. Of course this is nothing new. When Jesus gave the blind man back his sight the Pharisees were not overjoyed either. It is unfortunate that we can not be masters of our own health management and we have to head to Poland and Cuba to get treatments that are available locally. MS patients are being victimized by the MS establishments. We need to unite and remove the control that these people have over our lives.

Steven Simonyi-Gindele

February 14. 2010 01:01

Its a great discovery, all thanks to Dr. Zamboni for his wonderful efforts, we need to utilise his efforts positively and leave the one aside who are critique to his findings (MS society and neuro's). Anyway this is gathering momemtum, people dont agree to this findings sooner or later will come to terms with it.

Three cheers for Dr. Zamboni..........Sunny

Manoj Agrawal

February 14. 2010 01:32

I echo Jamie Chalmers thoughts above.
Thank you CTV for being on the story.

Michelle Pearson

February 14. 2010 13:20

Thank you CTV -- and to all others pursuing CCSVI and its treatment.

M. Addison

February 14. 2010 14:42

I was diagnoses with MS in 2005, and am a second generation inidividual with MS (my maternal grandmother also had it), so I have been watching research into MS with interest for 30 years. I'm hopeful that CCSVi will bring some relief to the many symptoms I suffer, but am concerned about the treatment methods. Is there any chance that the narrowing of the jugular views is a natural defence against MS by restricting the blood flow into the central nervous system..albeit a poor one. Is there any chance that by opening the veins up through stents may lead to a faster progression of MS or the shift from RRMS to SPMS be accelerated? Is there a possibility that the jugular veins may be weak and unable to support normal blood flows and may rupture a few years after the stent procedure? I look forward to some real science being bought to this terrible illness on this issue and hope that at some point in the next 5-10 years a new treatment method arise as a result.

Peter Tutty

February 14. 2010 14:58

Don't under estimate the power of the Pharmeceutical companies, most (maybe all) are heavily funded by the Pharma's and some of the Neuroligists with in the MS Clinics are actual paid consultants for these companies to promote their drugs relating to MS. If it is proven to be a vascular issue (not neuro) then MS patients will have no need for the current structure of the MS Clinics, but rather will be patients of Vascular surgeons. This will not be taken lightly...I think this is the big story and maybe worthy of media attention to expose this road block.

Carol Prest

February 14. 2010 22:39

Dr. Brandes, thank you so very much for addressing the "politics of science" issue and for writing in support of the "CCSVI in MS" theory receiving due consideration with full and proper investigation. Thank you also for challenging the callous and biased media and neurologists who are trying to brush this theory aside at such an early stage.

I am so grateful to CTV and W5 reporters for bringing to light a discovery that the world (and certainly Canada , with one of the highest rates of MS) needed and had every right to hear about. Surely our MS Clinics and advocate agencies are members of the various international MS Consortiums and attend Conferences, etc…did they not hear of Dr. Zamboni’s theory 3 years ago when he first invited the medical community to join him in his research?

If these groups were unaware, why? Why were they and their people not hearing rumblings of any and all possible theories about MS right from the beginning - or at least at some point in the last 3+ years? Maybe all this current uproar could have taken place years before, followed by research and studies running concurrently with Dr. Zamboni’s research and studies into the “CCSVI in MS” theory…and we would have had a more timely and conclusive answer as to whether or not this theory is unfounded and whether or not the liberation procedure is a valid treatment. Time is not on an MS patient's side. Thank God that Dr. Haacke was aware - and has been working to help CCSVI studies move forward. Hopefully other specialists will remember their conscience and their calling, and join in the work to resolve this issue one way or another in an honest and unbiased way.

No stone should be left unturned. Any and all plausible theories and procedures should be investigated fully. As much as I would caution fellow MSers not to rush for any treatment/procedure until it has been studied and improved, living with an illness that has already taken so much from me, I cannot fault any patient that has gone ahead and had the procedure. I definitely would not tell patients to hold off in getting tested for vein blockages.

Over the years, we have heard other theories bandied about but never had the same gut reaction to them as we did to this theory. We are not gullible simpletons as implied in NP articles. We haven’t dug deep into our pockets to purchase the miraculous magnets, potions, juices, etc. that have been dangled before our eyes. Why, some of us have even resisted the obscenely-expensive drug treatments dangled before our eyes by specialists, when our own research determined the drug could cause us more harm than good (as others had experienced), would not help our current symptoms, and didn't come with any guarantees.

As we listened and watched the W5 story unfold, what we heard made so much sense and we felt in our hearts that this was an answer that MSers and our loved ones have been praying for. It may not be “the” answer, but it certainly appears to be “an” answer with significant effects.

All that MS patients want is for this new discovery to be given full airing in order to ascertain its merits, rather than being ruled out at the very outset. We are prepared for science to either support or refute Dr. Zamboni’s findings - that is why we want proper testing soon. What we don’t ever want is suppression and ridiculing of theories/discoveries before they have even been accurately investigated (with proper equipment, methods and protocols) and given due consideration. Who knows how important they may prove to be (to any degree) in solving the MS puzzle?

Chrystal Gomes

February 16. 2010 16:05

i just recieved a phone call informing me that our community access center will be going through some cut backs on funding. my wife has MS so this is a concern of coarse. i don't understand how we can fund a was in Afganistan, cancel parlament, help other counties and yet cut funding to our own people. this is a scar on our country. we say we are a country with one of the best health systems. i very much appreciate the help we have gotten but when we start cutting funds to our own poor and or feeble how can we be an example of a caring nation. i am not here to argue the politics. i am just a retired steel worker so i don't have the education to do so. but i see what i see. please forgive any errs in my spelling or grammer. thankyou for taking the time to read this

paulmacdonald

February 25. 2010 16:27

wether ms is caused by blockage of the veins or the blockage is caused by ms why would you not just clear them anyway

paulmacdonald

February 26. 2010 14:52

I have always been curious about functionality in websites and, well, the world in general. I read this article with great interest. It does seem to me that the reason we comment is to speak our minds so why not have the comment field first? However, as others have pointed out, one gets used to the conventions regardless of reason.
<a href=”http://www.onlineuniversalwork.com”>home programe </a>

jacob

February 27. 2010 08:52

CTV NEWS ARE A VERY HONEST, IMFORMATIVE AND WELL RESEARCHED MEDIA. I FIRST HEARD ABOUT THIS TREATMENT THROUGH THEM. GREATEST THANKS. I HAVE HAD PPMS FOR NEARLY THIRTY YEARS. I HAVE HAD KNOW HOPE UNTIL NOW. BASICALLY THEY ARE TRYING TO TREAT THIS LIKE A WITCH DOCTOR FALLACY AND BASH IT DOWN AT EVERY TURN. LATELY I HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. IN THE U.S. IN 2007 8.2 BILLION WAS SPENT ON M.S. DRUGS. PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES MAKE SO MUCH MONEY ON US THEY WOULD RATHER JUST TREAT OUR SYMPTOMS IT IS SO PROFITABLE FOR THEM. A CURE WOULD BE CATASTROPHIC TO THEM. I BET IF 1000S OF MS SUFFERERS WERE TESTED AND THE COMPLETE TEST DOPPLER AND MRV WHICH BUFFALO DID NOT DO THE RESULTS WOULD BE ASTOUNDING. NATURALLY THIS IS UNLIKELY TO HAPPEM. I MYSELF AM GOING TO BULGARIA IN JUNE OR JULY. WE MSERS DO NOT HAVE THE BENEFIT OF YEARS OF RESEARCH TO SATISFY A MONETARILY CONTROLLED SOCIETY. WHY IS IT ALSO THAT A DRUG THAT CAUSES BRAIN INFECTIONS AND EVEN DEATHS. APARRENTLY THAT IS LOW ENOUGH OF A PERCENTAGE TO ALLOW IT TO STILL BE MARKETED STILL BEING PUSHED. NATURALLY MONEY IS THE BOTTOM LINE.

HERE IS A LINK I HAVE FOUND FOR MS TESTS AND TREATMENTS IN THE WORLD
http://multiplesclerosissurgery.com/where-tested-ccsvi.html

THANK HEAVENS FOR GOOD, HONEST, INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

PLEASE PARDON CAPS IT IS HARD TYPING WITH ONE FINGER

JAYNE SPENCER=HILL

March 4. 2010 08:21

I agree with Paul MacDonald, whether or not a person has M.S. surely anyone with blocked veins should have treatment. Because we are labelled, is this why we get ignored and left to get on with it.

The sooner the U.K. gets its act together, the better. Awaiting results from other countries does not tell me if my veins are blocked, but does tell those who are tested. Common sense, don't you think.

I too don't want to have to wait a few years down the line and be told yes that is why you have M.S. I so want my health and strength back, and to be able to take my 20 month old grandson by the hand and take him for a walk. Not much to ask is it, better than winning the lottery

Linda Davies

April 5. 2010 21:16

Unfortunately, there are a number of people and/or organizations who have a vested interested in keeping sick people sick. The MS society (although classified as a non-profit organization) has hundreds of paid employees who could potentially lose their jobs if there is a cure developed for the disease. Drug companies make millions of dollars from MS drugs as do neurologists and other specialists. Is it any wonder that these are the same people voicing their opposition to CCSVI. Thank goodness for news organization which report objectively.

Sharon Rilling
Regina, Sk, Canada

Sharon Rilling

May 5. 2010 07:29

Hi
my daughter has MS and would definitely try this procedure to alleviate this dreadful condition
I would be very grateful if anyone can tell me how we could get in contact with this Dr. or, any medical institution in Europe where this procedure is performed ?
and also what costs areinvolved ?

Geraldine Costello

June 22. 2010 11:36

Hello, I have an aunt who was just told by her doctor in B.C. that she has MS. This was quite sad and disturbing; because she is also a five year surviuor of Lung Cancer. My uncle was really upset about the news! Both myself and my mother are trying to look for some form of hope for my aunty, who is my mother's youngest sister. My mother seen the news report about MS on your show and is now really excited to give this information to her sister. If you have any information as to how my Aunt can be one of the trial people in this study please let me know so I can pass on the imformation to my aunt! I believe the study is taking place in New York City if I have remembered correctly. We all feel if she had this opportunity every little bit would help her to live a normal stress free life! I mean she has been through enough already. Please help us! This is my Aunties information:
Mrs. Vivian Andres
2715 Pinnacles Rd.
Quesnel British Columbia
V2J-7G9
1-250-249-5243

Nicole T. Evjen

July 20. 2010 09:15

Dr. Mark Freedman, head of U. of Ottawa’s MS program is recieving money from drug companies THAT IS A FACT, even in canada you guys have greed. Freedman is not an
expert in Ms that is why he didnt know about CCSVI and besides money has a big ego.
He is not a doctor but a doctor of death, oneday i hope he gets ms and is refused treatment

jen brown

July 20. 2010 09:17

I coulnt agree more with you Sharon in SK. Ms society of canada did nothing for my friend

jen brown

January 12. 2011 10:49

There is a difference between responsible reporting and what Melissa Martin chose to write about the CCSVI Clinic in this article. She was in possession of factual information and documents that put the CCSVI Clinic in a favorable light but chose to withhold the information she received from the physicains and researchers at CCSVI Clinic that would have conflicted with her agenda to smear our reputation in order to sensationalize her story. At no time did anyone from the CCSVI Clinic pressure patients into going to India for the Liberation Procedure. She should have considered that the one single person who made that claim clearly had her own agenda because she was disheartened by her 'borderline' results. We simply provide information to people about our enhanced hospital stay and aftercare program should a patient decide to have the procedure. You can't pressure someone to make an important decision about their health and all of our literature clearly states that. These MS patients are more knowledgeable about the CCSVI condition and about the options for treatment than most physicians are. To suggest that they can be pressured into a decision to have the procedure done in India is ludicrous. Patients who have signed up to be part of our open-ended study on the safety and efficacy of an enhanced aftercare protocol to reduce the rate of re-stenosis versus having the procedure on an outpatient basis (which may be contributing to long term failure of the procedure) have done so to ensure that they are getting the best care possible and because they want to be part of the important work we are doing for MS patients. http://www.ccsviclinic.ca/

Lisa Chapil

March 8. 2011 12:52

CCSVI Clinic Receives Joint IRB Approval for Aftercare Protocol Study.
The joint application between Noble Hospital and CCSVI Clinic has been approved through the IEC Institutional Review Board (IRB) that will allow researchers to use patient data to study their new extended and enhanced aftercare treatment protocol. The study hypothesis states that in MS patients with CCSVI undergoing endovascular treatment, those receiving the enhanced hospital aftercare protocol will have an improved long-term outcome over those patients not receiving this same protocol. The study is a Prospective, Longitudinal, Cohort Study in which patients are given the enhanced hospital aftercare and post-procedure protocol and then followed at regular 3 month intervals post-procedure, with the same measurements including symptoms and clinical examination, EDSS scale, Quality of Life Scale (QOL) and Doppler U/S.
Dr. Anand Alurkar, an Interventional Radiologist has done thousands of Intra and Extra cranial angio-procedures over the past 10 years. His previous studies may indicate that it’s critical to position and movement control patients who have had a venous angioplasty post-procedure, monitor them for days afterward with various imaging techniques, for other symptoms of restenosis, and re-treat if necessary. Previously unpublished data for patients who have had venous angioplasty may support a much lower restenosis rate (< 20%) in non-MS patients with the same neck vein blockages, (while conventional liberation treatments of MS patients who undergo the procedure are treated mostly as outpatients) have a restenosis rate of over 50% (at 400 days). Currently, this means that over half of all of the MS patients who get the liberation therapy can expect to be looking to get the procedure done again within a year or so, which would not be considered a successful outcome. This may also be the biggest hurdle to overcome in getting the liberation therapy approved in North America short of clinical trials. If the positive effects of the liberation procedure disappear in many patients after only a few months, it would be reasonable to assume they are placebo unless data is collected to show otherwise. Apart from confirming restenosis rates, the study will establish whether it’s just as important to observe a strict protocol after the procedure for a period of up to 10 days to prevent restenosis. Dr. Avneesh Gupte, an Interventional Neurosurgeon involved in the study says “If our daily Doppler Ultrasounds post-procedure come up with anomalies that indicate the beginnings of restenosis in the veins, we’ll take them back and do another balloon angioplasty where the occlusion is starting to occur. It should be no different for MS patients than the non-MS patients but the key is really that they be position controlled, movement controlled, and then monitored for 10 days afterwards to be sure”.
Dr. Don Simonson, the Principal Investigator for the study agrees; “Of course there are other reasons that patients restenose, depending on the condition of their veins in the first place, and operator inexperience, so we have designed a study that isolates the aftercare protocol because we feel it may be at least as important, and in any case well worth studying.”
CCSVI Clinic is already sponsoring patients for this protocol with a 10-day stay in the hospital where patients will be imaged daily, post procedure. If there is evidence of re-occlusion, they will be taken back to the OR and re-treated. To comply with the IRB approval, once home, patients will be examined and/or surveyed at regular intervals by a Principle Investigator (PI) for several years after the treatment to study the changes. Patients will have regular consults with the surgeon who performed their procedure as part of the protocol.
More and more MS patients are reporting initial success (including vascular and some neurological differences) as a result of the venous angioplasty (liberation therapy) but then regression to previous symptoms sometimes within weeks post-procedure. It is estimated that the failure rate of the “liberation therapy” may be 50% or higher, even through the most experienced and best-known surgeons. Consequently, there is increasing concern amongst patients that the liberation therapy hypothesis needs to include a post-procedure protocol that is more refined than simply releasing the patient from the hospital or clinic within hours or a day of the procedure. If the study hypothesis is correct, it means that there are many other considerations that indicate a post-procedure stabilization period, re-examination, and re-treatment if necessary.
A recent intake of Canadian patients confirmed that they were most satisfied with the protocol. “I am convinced that CCSVI Clinic has been by far the best choice available”, says Nicole Magnan, speaking on behalf of her husband, Robert who underwent the therapy under the 10-day protocol. “And nobody in this world that can convince me otherwise. Robert came in here a broken man. He had no hope. His next step was the nursing home. Today he is walking with the aid of a walker and with consistent daily physiotherapy he will make more steps every day. Most importantly, we are hoping that the positive changes will be permanent and the doctors at CCSVI Clinic explained that. They are such special people that will remain in our hearts forever.”
Regular research updates will be published on the CCSVI Clinic website. Questions may be directed toward the CCSVI Clinic administration at 1-888-419-6855 . Persons wishing to participate in the study must agree to the informed consent process, qualify through an inclusionary and exclusionary process and agree to be followed for several years by the study research team. They must be prepared to travel to Noble Hospital in Pune, India, but all arrangements will be taken care of by staff associated with the study. Interested persons should ensure that applications are in as soon as possible since there are limitations on the funding for the study population..Please log on to http://ccsviclinic.ca/?p=830 for more information.

Greg Mills

June 9. 2011 04:51

meizitang botanical slimming soft gel for sale
1.Meizitang zisu slimming pill meizitang for sale
Lose 20-30 lbs per month 100% herbal and safe
350mg x 30 capsules /box,

2. Meizitang strong version bottle
"MSV" on pills with laser , 650mg*36 pills

3. Meizitang New Version Meizitang slimming tablets
36 mzt soft gel for sale cheap meizitang

4. Meizitang old version weight loss
36 soft gel, meizitang slimming gel

5. Meizitang botanical slimming (Blue Capsule)
Weight loss 30 Ibs monthly.Meizitang OEM
http://yemade.com

meizitang

June 9. 2011 04:51

When arousal time comes you’ll be ready to rock her world for as long as you want. You don’t have to worry about having an erection when you don’t want one. Libigrow male enhancement supplements only works with sexual stimulation so it only works when you want it to.
Libigrow male enhancement pills are one of the most popular male enhancement products sold online and sales of these herbal male enhancers continue to climb each year. Natural male enhancers use a combination of herbal ingredients used for centuries to promote sexual virility.
Libigrow Pills Reviews:
•Scientifically Formulated To Increase SEXUAL DESIRE
•Clinically Proven To Achieve POWERFUL ERECTIONS
•Assists With PRE-MATURE ELACULATION
•Works Only With SEXUAL STIMULATION
•Increases Orgasm Threshold & Intensity
•One Capsule Lasts Up To 4 Days
•Recommended For Men 18-80 Years Old
•Give Your Partner What They Really Want!
•100% Natural, Guaranteed!
•SARE EVEN FOR MEN WITH DIABETES
Libigrow Herbs Male Enhancement Suggested Use:
As A Dietary Supplement, take One (1) Capsule 30 To 60 Minutes
Prior To Sexual Activity Or Take One (1) Capsule On A Light Stomach During Mid-day.
Libigrow enhancement supplements ingredients: Cordyceps Sinensos, Flat-Stem Milkvetch, Chinese Dodder Seed, Ligustrum, Cnidium, Cherokee Rose, Walnut (nut), Dong Quai, Astragalus Root, Korean Ginseng, Schizandra Fruit, Vitamin B-6L-Arginine, L-Lysine, L-Glutamine
Libigrow Capsule: 25 capsules/box
*Dally Value not yet established.
Vegetable Magnesium Stearate and Water.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This Libigrow enhancement supplements is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
When arousal time comes you will be ready to rock her world for as long as you want. You donot have to worry about having an erection when you donnot want one. Libigrow men enhancement pills only works with sexual stimulation so it only works when you want it to. Come here! You will find best Libigrow wholesale! Purchase male enhancement pills from here!
YOU CAN TAKE ONE OR TWO BUT NO MORE THAN 900mg IN 24 HOURS.
http://www.poerkan.com

poerkan

June 27. 2011 10:34

After 6 months of offering stem cell therapy in combination with the venous angioplasty liberation procedure, patients of CCSVI Clinic have reported excellent health outcomes. Ms. Kasma Gianopoulos of Athens Greece, who was diagnosed with the Relapsing/Remitting form of MS in 1997 called the combination of treatments a “cure”. “I feel I am completely cured” says Ms. Gianopoulos, “my symptoms have disappeared and I have a recovery of many functions, notably my balance and my muscle strength is all coming (back). Even after six months, I feel like there are good changes happening almost every day. Before, my biggest fear was that the changes wouldn’t (hold). I don’t even worry about having a relapse anymore. I’m looking forward to a normal life with my family. I think I would call that a miracle.”

Other recent MS patients who have had Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT), or stem cell therapy have posted videos and comments on YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFQr2eqm3Cg.

Dr. Avneesh Gupte, the Neurosurgeon at Noble Hospital performing the procedure has been encouraged by results in Cerebral Palsy patients as well. “We are fortunate to be able to offer the treatment because not every hospital is able to perform these types of transplants. You must have the specialized medical equipment and specially trained doctors and nurses”. With regard to MS patients, “We are cautious, but nevertheless excited by what patients are telling us. Suffice to say that the few patients who have had the therapy through us are noticing recovery of neuro deficits beyond what the venous angioplasty only should account for”.

Dr. Unmesh of Noble continues: “These are early days and certainly all evidence that the combination of liberation and stem cell therapies working together at this point is anecdotal. However I am not aware of other medical facilities in the world that offer the synthesis of both to MS patients on an approved basis and it is indeed a rare opportunity for MS patients to take advantage of a treatment that is quite possibly unique in the world”.

Autologous stem cell transplantation is a procedure by which blood-forming stem cells are removed, and later injected back into the patient. All stem cells are taken from the patient themselves and cultured for later injection. In the case of a bone marrow transplant, the HSC are typically removed from the Pelvis through a large needle that can reach into the bone. The technique is referred to as a bone marrow harvest and is performed under a general anesthesia. The incidence of patients experiencing rejection is rare due to the donor and recipient being the same individual.This remains the only approved method of the SCT therapy. For more information visit http://ccsviclinic.ca/?p=838

jessica forester

July 21. 2011 09:41

“Unnecessary risks are being taken by patients seeking the liberation treatment.” says Dr. Avneesh Gupte of the CCSVI Clinic. “It has been our contention since we started doing minimally invasive venous angioplasties nearly 6 years ago that discharging patients who have had neck vein surgery on an outpatient basis is contra-indicated. We have been keeping patients hospitalized for a week to 10 days as a matter of safety and monitoring them for symptoms. Nobody who has the liberation therapy gets discharged earlier than that. During that time we do daily Doppler Ultrasounds, blood work and blood pressure monitoring among other testing. This has been the safe practice standard that we have adopted and this post-procedure monitoring over 10 days is the subject of our recent study as it relates to CCSVI for MS patients.”
Although the venous angioplasty therapy on neck veins has been done for MS patients at CCSVI Clinic only for the last 18 months it has been performed on narrow or occluded neck veins for other reasons for many years. “Where we encounter blocked neck veins resulting in a reflux of blood to the brain, we treat it as a disease,” says Gupte. “It’s not normal pathology and we have seen improved health outcomes for patients where we have relieved the condition with minimal occurrences of re-stenosis long-term. We believe that our record of safety and success is due to our post-procedure protocol because we have had to take patients back to the OR to re-treat them in that 10-day period. Otherwise some people could have run into trouble, no question.”
Calgary MS patient Maralyn Clarke died recently after being treated for CCSVI at Synergy Health Concepts of Newport Beach, California on an outpatient basis. Synergy Health Concepts discharges patients as a rule without in-clinic provisions for follow up and aftercare. Post-procedure, Mrs. Clarke was discharged, checked into a hotel, and suffered a massive bleed in the brain only hours after the procedure. Dr. Joseph Hewett of Synergy Health recently made a cross-Canada tour promoting his clinic for safe, effective treatment of CCSVI for MS patients at public forums in major Canadian cities including Calgary.
“That just couldn’t happen here, but the sooner we develop written standards and best practices for the liberation procedure and observe them in practice, the safer the MS community will be”, says Dr. Gupte. “The way it is now is just madness. Everyone seems to be taking shortcuts. We know that it is expensive to keep patients in a clinical setting over a single night much less 10 days, but it’s quite absurd to release them the same day they have the procedure. We have always believed it to be unsafe and now it has proven to be unsafe. The thing is, are Synergy Health Concepts and other clinics doing the Liberation Treatment going to be changing their aftercare methods even though they know it is unsafe to release a patient on the same day? The answer is no, even after Mrs. Clarke’s unfortunate and unnecessary death. Therefore, they are not focused on patient safety…it’s become about money only and lives are being put at risk as a result.”
Joanne Warkentin of Morden Manitoba, an MS patient who recently had both the liberation therapy and stem cell therapy at CCSVI Clinic agrees with Dr. Gupte. “Discharging patients on the same day as the procedure is
ridiculous. I was in the hospital being monitored for 12 days before we flew back. People looking for a place to have the therapy must do their homework to find better options. We found CCSVI Clinic and there’s no place on earth that’s better to go for Liberation Therapy at the moment. I have given my complete medical file from CCSVI Clinic over to my Canadian physician for review.” For more information Log on to http://ccsviclinic.ca/?p=866 OR Call on: +1 (404) 461-9560.

Robert Taylor

August 19. 2011 14:53

I have had the Liberation treatment and right away, after recovery, I could tell a difference. It has been a year now, walking, brain function is clear, all my problems are not there except one. I am hoping in time, it will!! My only problem, I was allergic to the dye that the doctor used during it- they take x=rays while it is going on. You are awake-- you have to hold your breath-so the image can be taken. You can see the process happening on six digital screens-it is really something!! It takes about an hour and you are out the door soon after. A day later, I noticed an itching behind my neck. It later became red on the torso and face. I called the doctor and finally went through many drugs to stop it-- I finally was given Benadryl== that helped= and used the spray!!!! In few days it was gone. That experience was the worst!!! Talk to your doctor ahead of time and they will give you a drug before you go through this-- so it does not happen for you!!! My question to my doctors was, if I do not do this what will happen?? Answer-- MS will get worse. I had two veins messed up- One was indented, the other jugular was twisted up like a licorice stick!!! He had not seen anything like it!!! I got the whole operation on a disc from the hospital. My doctor should me in the recovery room, on his IPAD- before and after!! It was "really cool"!!!

Linda Fray

August 19. 2011 15:47

I would like to add that I have MONO and I have the herpes simplex virus. I was diagnosed in 2003 after lots of problems- esp. depression. Vertigo, major ringing in the ears do to damage that MS can do in the inner ear. Clinical depression is so hard to go through!! I used the movie "Where Dreams May Come" as the wife in hell, in the pits of nothingness. to describe where my soul and spirit were at the time. I did not know I had MS then. With Meds and a great doctor--I got through this brain sickness and am currently doing great. I always had a feeling that herpes and Mono had something to do with MS. Two different kinds of MS- vascular and virus attack---or what else in the future is in store??

Linda Fray

Add comment

Name*
E-mail*
Country Country flag

Captcha*

b i u quote

Comment
Preview

Notify me when new comments are added

Website

The science and politics of CCSVI and Multiple Sclerosis

Related posts

Comments

Add comment

Search

Recent Posts

Month List

CTV's Avis Favaro on Twitter

Category list

Tag cloud

The science and politics of CCSVI and Multiple Sclerosis

Related posts

Comments

Add comment

Search

Recent Posts

Month List

CTV's Avis Favaro on Twitter