CCSVI Treatment

For the CCSVI treatment or liberation we have set up in our centers a specific path with highly qualified physicians (neurologists, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, interventional radiologists , sonographers and many others).

– The method applied is the Zamboni method for all patients ( J Vasc Surg . 2009 Dec ; 50 (6) :1348-58 . e1 -3 .)

– We perform exclusively the LIBERATION treatment following pre surgery evaluation with the anesthesiologist.

In order to achieve better visualization of the venous anomalies echo color Doppler US is obtained after each balloon dilatation. In fact, this innovation introduced by Team Brain Flow has allowed us to achieve progressively better technical and clinical results. It is our opinion that it is essential to evaluate the vessel to be treated during angioplasty both with phlebography and echo-color Doppler obtained at the same time.

Angioplasty has been performed on patients with MS, ALS, polymyalgia, intractable headache or meniere syndrome that were found positive for CCSVI in qualified and certified centers, according to the Zamboni criteria.

At discharge, each patient will be given a copy of the procedure (CD Rom) which can be easily visualized with Internet Explorer 6 or newer versions.

Finally, diagnostic examinations post- angioplasty will be performed in our centers or, alternatively, in certified centers affiliated with our institutions.

Any restenosis will be treated , if possible, with a waiting times of less than 3-4 weeks.

Patient is admitted in the ward around 8:00 am. Anamnesis and full history of the patient is obtained.

Any allergies or problems related to the procedure are assessed and discussed both with the interventional radiologist and anesthesologist.

Since June 1, 2012 Dr. Tommaso Lupattelli collaborates with Dr. Paolo Onorati, neurologist, former professor at the University La Sapienza and Dr. Chiara Muratori, electrophysiologist. Prior to PTA, a neurological examination followed by an electroencephalogram (EEG) is carried out to evaluate the brain activity.

The EEG is then repeated after 2, 6,12 and 18 months from angioplasty.

After EEG evaluation the patient is transported in the Angiography suite to undergo balloon dilatation of the diseased veins. In view of the complications occurred in other centers and previously reported in the medical literature, stent implantation in the jugular veins is not taken into account by our team. At least until further scientific evidence for its use will be capable of certifying its absolute security.

Patient comes back to the ward after 30 minutes from the end of the procedure. He must keep still in bed for the first 2 hours.

Discharge on the day after about 3-6 hours from the end of the procedure (from 19:00 onwards).

Caution: Do not discontinue any medication already in place for the treatment of MS. To date there are no reported side effects of drug therapy after angioplasty.