
Is there a cure for CCSVI?
The proposed treatment for CCSVI, sometimes referred to as “liberation therapy,” is an angioplasty procedure, which involves opening blocked or narrowed veins by inflating a small balloon or inserting a stent to allow for better blood flow …
What does CCSVI mean in medical terms?
Jul 30, 2020 · Treatment for CCSVI The only proposed treatment for CCSVI is TVAM, a surgical venous angioplasty, also known as liberation therapy. It’s intended to open up narrow veins. A surgeon inserts a small...
How does CCSVI affect the central nervous system?
CCSVI stands for “Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency,” a condition where people have obstructed blood flow in the veins that drain the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Research indicates that CCSVI is significantly correlated with multiple sclerosis. 1, 2,3,4. As a result of these venous abnormalities, the blood flow rate through the central nervous system …
What is chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI)?
Although it is still debated whether chronic cerebro-spinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) plays a role in multiple sclerosis (MS) development, many patients underwent endovascular treatment (ET) of CCSVI. The objective of the study is to evaluate the …

What are symptoms of CCSVI?
It is the most common neurological disorder of young adults. It is quite possible that some of the protean manifestations of MS, including fatigue and lethargy, headaches, and cognitive dysfunction, may actually represent symptoms of CCSVI itself.
How is CCSVI diagnosed?
Diagnosing CCSVI Your doctor can use an ultrasound or a magnetic resonance venography to view the veins in your neck and to check for any impaired structural issues, but there aren't standards by which insufficient flow or drainage are measured.
Can venous insufficiency affect your brain?
In pathological conditions, there is a reverse blood flow to the brain, which is the essence of the chronic venous insufficiency of brain. It is considered that cerebral venous disorders may underlie a number of diseases of the nervous system.
What is cerebral venous insufficiency?
Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a syndrome characterized by stenosies of the internal jugular and/or azygous veins (IJVs-AZ) with opening of collaterals and insufficient drainage proved by reduced cerebral blood flow and increased mean transit time in cerebral MRI perfusional study.
What happens if you don't treat chronic venous insufficiency?
If CVI is not treated, small blood vessels in your legs may burst because of the pressure. As a result, the ruptured blood vessel creates a reddish-brown hue on your skin and can lead to ulcers and open sores. These sores called venous stasis are difficult to heal and may become infected.
Does venous insufficiency make you feel tired?
Signs and Symptoms Chronic venous insufficiency and fatigue are a more common pairing. Instead, watch for swelling in your calves and ankles, flaky and itchy skin, leg cramps, and cramping. You can also experience restless leg syndrome, burning, heaviness, and tiredness.
What is CCSVI?
CCSVI is a term used to describe the narrowing of veins in the neck, which has been suggested to affect blood flow out of the central nervous system.
Can CVI cause headaches?
Mary has described how CVI Meltdowns cause headaches. Connor's mother describes multiple features that have been consistent after CVI meltdowns including: less content / anxious. irregular bowel movements.
What makes your feet turn brown?
Hemosiderin is a brownish pigment caused by the breakdown of blood hemoglobin, the iron content in red blood cells. Foot and Ankle discoloration, when caused by hemosiderin, is called Stasis Dermatitis and is a sign of Venous Insufficiency, also called venous reflux disease and venous hypertension among other names.
Does MS affect blood flow?
The researchers found that people with MS were indeed more likely to have the narrow blood vessels -- about 13 times more likely. And when they removed Zamboni's original study from the mix, the remaining seven studies still showed that CCSVI was almost five times more common in people with MS than without.Oct 3, 2011
How to treat CCSVI?
The proposed treatment for CCSVI, sometimes referred to as “liberation therapy,” is an angioplasty procedure, which involves opening blocked or narrowed veins by inflating a small balloon or inserting a stent to allow for better blood flow and improve drainage of blood from the brain. In May 2012, the U.S. FDA issued a safety communication about procedures to treat CCSVI in people with MS.#N#Virtually all FDA-approved disease-modifying MS therapies have their own risk/benefit profiles. The difference is that these therapies have been shown, through large-scale, controlled clinical trials, to significantly reduce MS disease activity in certain individuals.
What is CCSVI in MS?
In 2009, Dr. Paolo Zamboni from the University of Ferrara in Italy put forth the idea that CCSVI (chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency), a reported abnormality in blood drainage from the brain and spinal cord, may contribute to nervous system damage in MS.
Is CCSVI associated with MS?
A growing body of evidence on the prevalence of CCSVI among people living with MS and people who do not have MS suggest that CCSVI is not specifically linked with MS. Researchers suggest that discrepancies in results may be attributed to inconsistencies in imaging techniques, training of personnel, the interpretation of results, and even on the hydration status of people undergoing testing. Some studies also challenge the validity of the proposed diagnostic criteria for CCSVI.
A New Understanding
The CCSVI procedure ( TVAM) was originally thought to work via expanding a narrowed jugular vein, thus restoring proper flow of blood in the veins draining the central nervous system.
Enhanced Imaging Protocols
Unlike those found in arteries, abnormalities in veins are subtle and challenging to identify. In this respect, venograms alone are inadequate in many cases. Therefore, Dr. Arata uses a small intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) probe attached to the end of the catheter to create pictures from inside of the veins.
Safety Precautions
The protocols followed at Synergy maximize the opportunity for symptom relief while also placing the greatest possible emphasis on patient safety.
After the Procedure
The majority of patients experience little to no discomfort following their procedure, and they are typically able to resume normal activity within two days time.
What is the CCSVI MS?
As a result, those who promote the controversial CCSVI-MS theory suggest that blood backs up in the brain and spinal cord, triggering pressure and inflammation. One theory of CCSVI is that the condition causes a backup of pressure or reduced outflow of blood leaving the central nervous system (CNS).
What is TVAM treatment?
The only proposed treatment for CCSVI is TVAM, a surgical venous angioplasty, also known as liberation therapy. It’s intended to open up narrow veins. A surgeon inserts a small balloon into the veins to widen them.
Is CCSVI a measure of health?
The exact cause and definition of CCSVI isn’t established. For example, the exact amount of cerebrospinal venous flow that would be considered normal or ideal isn’t actually a measure of health.
Is TVAM a life threatening procedure?
It can even cause life threatening complications. has issued a warning regarding TVAM and has restricted the procedure. It’s not authorized in the United States as treatment for CCSVI or for MS. The FDA has implemented a system for reporting any lack of compliance or associated medical complications.
Does CCSVI help MS?
But there’s no evidence to confirm that treating CCSVI will improve MS or stop its progression. “Liberation therapy” offers misguided hope of a miraculous cure from a devastating disease during a time when we have real, meaningful treatment options.
Is CCSVI associated with MS?
In fact, a growing body of evidence suggests that CCSVI is not specifically linked with MS. Researchers suggest that discrepancies in results may be attributed to a variety of circumstances, including inconsistencies in imaging techniques, training of personnel, and the interpretation of results.
Is there a link between MS and CCSVI?
But large variations in their results didn’t point to an association between CCSVI and MS, leading researchers to conclude there’s not a link.
What is CCSVI in the US?
In the United States, CCSVI is typically indicated by confirmed blockages or malformations of any/all of the major blood vessels draining the brain and spine (typically, the left and right internal jugular veins, the azygos, lumbar and vertebral veins ), and/or by the presence of Reflux. For detailed information about CCSVI Theory, Diagnosis, ...
What does CCSVI stand for?
A Basic Definition. The Technical Definition. The Origin and History of CCSVI. A Basic Definition. CCSVI stands for “Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency,” a condition where people have obstructed blood flow in the veins that drain the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Research indicates that CCSVI is significantly ...
What causes CCSVI?
The animation below shows how stenosis in veins draining the central nervous system can cause CCSVI. This animation was provided by Dr. Zamboni. The term CCSVI was coined by Dr. Paolo Zamboni of the University of Ferrara, Italy, in 2008. Dr.
How long has Dr Zamboni been a vascular surgeon?
Rather, it is supported by multiple scientific observers dating back 170 years. Dr. Zamboni’s personal journey leading to the rediscovery of the vascular link to MS, and his subsequent elaboration of this connection, began more than twenty years ago, when he was a vascular surgeon in Sardinia, Italy.
What is the term for an abnormal narrowing of the veins that restricts blood flow?
Stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the veins that restricts blood flow. Types of stenoses include the collapse of the vein, twisting of the vein, ring-like narrowings in the vein, and other similar obstructions. An abnormal valve, septum, flap, or membrane that blocks or inhibits blood flow through the veins.
Is CCSVI a sclerosis?
Research indicates that CCSVI is significantly correlated with multiple sclerosis. 1, 2,3,4. As a result of these venous abnormalities, the blood flow rate through the central nervous system back toward the heart may become slowed, and blood may reflux back toward the brain and spine. 1. People with CCSVI have one or more ...
Does Dr. Zamboni use CCSVI?
Zamboni’s precise diagnostic definitions of CCSVI in their work, typically because U.S. physicians and research ers are not trained in CCSVI diagnosis via the sophisticated duplex ultrasonography used by Dr. Zamboni’s team.

A New Understanding
- The CCSVI procedure (TVAM) was originally thought to work via expanding a narrowed jugular vein, thus restoring proper flow of blood in the veins draining the central nervous system. However, based on our extensive clinical experience with the procedure, we have come to believe that it may instead be the physical manipulation of the jugular vein th...
Enhanced Imaging Protocols
- Unlike those found in arteries, abnormalities in veins are subtle and challenging to identify. In this respect, venograms alone are inadequate in many cases. Therefore, Dr. Aratauses a small intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) probe attached to the end of the catheter to create pictures from inside of the veins. This technique increases the accuracy of the overall evaluation of the venou…
Safety Precautions
- The protocols followed at Synergy maximize the opportunity for symptom relief while also placing the greatest possible emphasis on patient safety. Stents are not a typical part of the treatment. In unusual cases, veins that drain the spine such as the azygos may be compressed by external structures. In such cases, stents can be be highly effective in relieving venous compression.
After The Procedure
- The majority of patients experience little to no discomfort following their procedure, and they are typically able to resume normal activity within two days time. Patients are released from the center after they meet our discharge criteria and are asked to remain in the immediate area of the Synergy Health medical center for 48 hours following their procedure. After that, they are typicall…