What is Chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)?
Chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a syndrome associated with a blockage restricting the blood flow from the central nervous system (CNS), through the cervical and thorac veins. In layman's terms this is when the blood supply from the brain and spine has trouble returning to the heart.
It is suggested that this blockage is due to stenosis of the jugular and azygos veins. Dr Paolo Zamboni, identified and labeled the CCSVI syndrome and has linked it to to multiple sclerosis (MS).
The discovery of CCSVI
Over 10 years ago, Elena, now in her 50's, was diagnosed with MS. This was when her frustrated husband, a vascular surgeon and University of Ferrara Professor, began questioning the who theory on the MS condition.
As a specialist, feeling helpless as he watched his wife's health deteriorate, Dr Zamboni went on a mission to track down the cause of her disease.
Zamboni learned from scientists who studied brains of MS patients, that there was always greater levels of iron deposits. These deposits formed a unique pattern, often accumulating centrally in the brain, clustered around the veins used to drain the blood from the head. This phenomenon was explained away, as just a result of MS itself. For Zamboni it was the start of a new vision of MS, a vision that could one day lead to a cure for his wife, and an estimated 2.5 million multiple sclerosis globally.
Dr Zamboni was shocked to find the veins used to drain blood, in the brain's of MS patients was either narrowed or blocked. He gathered a strong team of surgeons and they began experimental treatments. The preliminary findings were astounding!
Linking CCSVI to MS
Professor Zamboni considered the idea that the iron deposits were a result of blood improperly collecting in the brain. With the use of a Doppler ultrasound, he examined the necks of MS patients. Virtually all patients displayed a twisting, narrowing or complete blockage of the veins used to flush blood from the brain. He observed that healthy individuals had none of these malformations, nor did he observe these same blockages in patients with other neurological conditions.
In my mind, this was unbelievable evidence that further study was necessary to understand the link between venous function and iron deposits on the other What was equally astounding, was that not only was the blood not flowing out of the brain, it was refluxing, reversing, and flowing back upwards".
- Dr Paolo Zamboni
These findings led Dr Zamboni to believe that as blood moves into the brain, pressure builds up in the veins, pushing blood into brain, causing a multitude of reactions. If so, this could explain the symptoms of MS.
For me, it was really unbelievable to understand that iron deposits in MS were exactly around the veins. So probably, it is a dysfunction of drainage of the veins, This is very important, because iron is very dangerous, because it produces free radicals, and free radicals are killers for cells. So we need to eliminate iron accumulation."
Zamboni labeled this vein disorder Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI), and began posting his preliminary work in neurology journals.
He observed a link to the severity of the vein blockages in MS patients to the severity of their symptoms. Those with a single blocked vein generally had milder forms of the illness, and those with multiple damaged veins had more debilitating forms of the disease.
Dr. Zamboni noted that the blockage were not restricted to neck veins leading to the brain but also in the central drainage vein, known as the azygos vein. This vein is responsible for draining the blood from the brain, along the spine. Blockages in the azygos vein were linked to primary progressive, the most serious form of MS where the disease progresses rapidly. There is currently not effective treatment for this form of MS.
Supporting the CCSVI Theory
Zamboni approached several neurologists who initially dismissed his findings. I'm guessing many viewed the theory as too simple to be overlooked for so many years.
One specialist in particular, Dr. F. Salvi from Bologna's, Bellaria Hospital, was fascinated with this novel new concept. He began sending MS patients to Zamboni for CCVIS tests. The returned images of the narrowed or blocked veins were undeniable in Dr Salvi's mind.
CCSVI - Can the Blockage Be Undone?
Dr Zamboni looked at this newly described syndrome, known as CCSVI. He noted that the blockage interfering with the blood supply's, ability to get back to the heart from the spine and brain. He then went on to make the point that, if these blockages could be be removed, it could possibly alleviate many symptoms associated with MS, and ultimately lead to a new understanding of the disease.
He looked at standard angiography, where doctors use balloons to open unblocked arteries that process blood from the heart. Enlisting experienced vascular surgeon Dr Galeotti, the team conducted a experimental study, concerning the treatment of 65 MS patients.
The 3 year experimental stage was to see if the surgery would restore the blood flow in these vain's, and if so, lessen the symptoms of MS.
The results so far have been nothing short of astounding. Publish on November 24th, 2009, in the Journal of Vascular Surgery, the study produced very promising results.
- Patients experienced a reduction in the number MS attacks.
- Patients saw a huge reduction in the amount of brain lesions that define Multiple Sclerosis.
- Patients experienced an improvement in the quality of life.
- Only in cases where the veins re-narrowed, did the symptoms return.
The team labeled the procedure, "The Liberation Treatment" as the surgery freed the blood flow.
The Delay In Action Could Cause Permanent Damage
Zamboni believes that the sooner patients can be diagnosed and treated for CCSVI, the more functions they will be able to save, and the less damage the imbalanced blood flow can cause the brain.
Because MS is a progressive disease and strikes young people, if we lose time, there are a lot of young people that will progress without possibility to get back. This is very heavy for me."
Zamboni highlight the fact that the Liberation Treatment cannot give wheelchair bound people the ability to walk again. Instead it appears to stunt further developments of the attack, and in certain cases improve movement and reduce the chronic fatigue, which are common symptoms of MS.
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