CCSVI article says resteosis is needed in all cases-- needed every 12-18 months

[Guest guest]

Hi, I just came across this article below by an apparent expert in CCSVI who

says that regardless of whether one stents or does angioplasty, that " restonis

will happen " on average about every 12-16 months. He does not indicate that is a

negative, but rather just that restonosis is something that is a part of this

treatment and should be an expected and accepted part.

I do not know if this is true. I was hoping the CCSVI that I am supposed to be

getting next month was a once in a lifetime thing, but according to this

article, those who get CCSVI (again be it stent or balloon) should expect that

every 12-16 months they will need to return for restenosis procedure.

I am curious if those who are well versed in CCSVI (Janet, , etc) agree

with this, so without further adeieiu, here is the article to which I refer:

Read this article by Dr. Hewett - an IR at Pacific Interventionalists in

California - it will help you - RESTENOSIS WILL HAPPEN - Venous Stenting and

CCSVI ~ Dr. Hewett presentation January 29, 2011 (Seattle) by Venöse Multiple

Sklerose, CVI & SVI, CCSVI on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 at 1:10pm " Driving down

the side streets will never be as fast as driving down the highway " ~ Dr. ph

Hewett commenting on collateral veins and why we need to treat CCSVI. Dr. Hewett

wanted to do the session to correct a lot of misinformation that is circulating

about stents. First, he detailed a long history of using stents to correct

circulatory problems, beginning in 1856 with a dentist aptly named " Dr. Stent. "

With angioplasty becoming commonplace after 1964, stenting eventually became

associated with this procedure by 1994. In 2003, drug coated stents for arteries

were developed to prevent restenosis. Stents were used in many areas of the

body, beginning with the liver and trachea before being used for arterial

procedures. Many types of stents are appropriate for use in veins; in fact,

stents are not designed for only one type of vessel, but are designed in terms

of what they can achieve in terms of improving blood flow. Surprisingly, Dr.

Hewett said there's no proof stents keep veins open longer than angioplasty

alone. This, of course, doesn't refer to situations where angioplasty failed to

work in a particular location, but refers to a comparison between veins

successfully treated with angioplasty versus veins successfully treated with a

stent. Dr. Hewett stressed that ALL VEINS WILL RESTENOSE. It's not a matter of

" if " -- it is a matter of " when. " Restenosis generally occurs after 4-6 months

and usually much later (12-18 months) and is a very gradual process taking many

months before total restenosis happens. He said that if symptoms return before

the 4-6 month period, it is a matter of undertreatment and not restenosis.

Stents should be 20% wider than the vein in which they are placed. If a stent is

put in properly, it won't move (sometimes called " jumping " ). Stents are not,

contrary to a lot of the buzz out there surrounding CCSVI, strangers to veins --

Dr. Hewett says he has placed over 5000 venous stents over his 15 year career.

For instance, May-Thurner Syndrome has been known for decades and usually

requires a stent. Kidney dialysis patients also need stents in their veins

because angioplasty is not effective for their needs. The main issue is whether

to use a stent in the first place. If it is indicated for a number of reasons,

such as blood flow and patient outcomes, it is best to use it. In terms of

CCSVI, though, stent use is still quite rare. Some issues people worry about

with stents is a stent fracture. This is a very low incidence occurrence and may

not actually lead to a problem for the patient. Stents may also be too small for

their location and need to be fractured deliberately by widening with

angioplasty. To deal with fractures, another, larger stent needs to be placed

inside the smaller one to cover any exposed edges of the fractured stent. These

corrections work quite well with few complications. The azygos vein is unique in

that there's only one vein providing drainage for this area of the body. Many

other veins, such as the jugular veins, have backups; the azygos does not. This

vein can get squished between the heart and the spine. A branch of the vein, the

hemiazygos, can get squished by the aorta. Because there are no alternative

veins to supply drainage, these areas often need stenting because angioplasty

alone will not keep blood flowing. Presence of a stenosis is sometimes difficult

to detect and isn't strictly a visual determination. A pressure gradient of 3-5

mm of mercury before and after the blockage warrants treatment. This is a much

lower pressure gradient than was traditionally thought to cause problems. Dr.

Hewett describes the situation where a patient has symptoms indicating a problem

with the azygos (walking, bowel, bladder), but no obvious stenoses. He

recommends using balloons to assess the vein three dimensionally because a two

dimensional assessment (dye) may not be sufficient to detect a stenosis. He

feels the azygos is a crucial area for MS patients to have completely assessed.

However, blockages do not always need to be treated. It is necessary to look at

the big picture and always try angioplasty first if symptoms are present.

Sometimes leaving a vein stenosis intact is preferable because angioplasty would

not significantly affect clinical outcomes for the patient and would

unnecessarily damage the vein. Jugular veins are rarely, rarely stented. Dr.

Hewett is now using fewer stents in this area than when he first started

treating CCSVI a year ago. In the question and answer period, Dr. Hewett

stressed that we should get the fluoro time from our treatment doctors because

of the potential radiation exposure. This time indicates how long we were

exposed to the dye used during the procedure to assess blood flow. In the United

States and Canada, it is the law to keep this time very short. Dr. Code

mentioned one patient who had CCSVI treatment and had two hours of radiation

exposure during the procedure, leading to all of her hair falling out. Dr.

Hewett said this couldn't happen in the US or Canada because of the regulations.

He didn't think patients need to be overly concerned about repeated

angioplasties (meaning repeated exposure to this dye), mentioning that we

probably are exposed to more radiation coming out of building materials used in

our homes; however, it is important to keep this information in our medical

records. After treatment, aggressive anti-inflammatory protocols (diet, drugs)

will minimize scarring and prolong treatment effects. But remember, RESTENOSIS

WILL HAPPEN. (I find it curious restenosis is often cited as a reason a) not to

have CCSVI treatment in the frst place, and evidence of a failed treatment.

It is neither -- it is expected with CCSVI angioplasties as it is with all other

angioplasties.) Finally, Dr. Hewett closed with stressing the need for a

lifelong commitment to monitor and treat restenosis because it will happen in

every location that has been angioplastied. He said there's no difficulty if we

have to have angioplasty, for instance, every three years throughout our lives

to make sure our veins stay open. He left it open that a more permanent solution

may be found eventually. "

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan

This article is incorrect in regards to expecting restnosis.

Remember that this is all new to everyone, and remember that the 'experts' are

just as without surities as we all are!

There are many who haven't restenosed and just as many who have. Some do and

some don't.

I believe that staying on the BBD closely helps considerably, and that ensuring

that we keep our stress levels and negativity in check, also gives our veins a

big hand.

The procedure really is something to go into without expectation. Putting

pressure on your system and constantly stressing about restenosis and everything

else will not help your system heal at all.

In order to give your body a chance, it is best to go into it without

expectation or pressure and negativity.

I fully realise that for some, it is in their natures to 'worry', have fears and

stress about it all (and I remembr that I had nervousness beforehand too) but

worrying about restenosis will only cause restenosis.

It's best to go into it without negativity and fear. Remember that your state of

mind can be your greatest friend or your worst enemy - go in confidently,

positively and you'll see far better results.

'What we do in life, echoes through eternity.'

MARCUS AURELIUS (121 - 180 A.D.)

To: mscured

From: alansamston@...

Date: Wed, 6 Apr 2011 02:15:25 +0000

Subject: CCSVI article says resteosis is needed in all cases-- needed

every 12-18 months

Hi, I just came across this article below by an apparent expert in CCSVI who

says that regardless of whether one stents or does angioplasty, that " restonis

will happen " on average about every 12-16 months. He does not indicate that is a

negative, but rather just that restonosis is something that is a part of this

treatment and should be an expected and accepted part.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

The quality of life that this treatment has brought about in my wife for the

last ten months is worth the risk of restonosis. If this is part of the

treatment so be it - however as has said in her earlier post, each

person is different - lifestyle and diet being the key differences which are of

utmost importance for pwMS.

For those who bolster up there bodies through sound dietary protocols and

therapeutic lifestyles I would say that you have a massive chance of staying in

the clear. Since the docs can't clearly say what the effects of CCSVI will be

on a patient (negative or mostly positive) I feel they can't really advise on

restonosis either. We are simply too early in this new chapter of medical

science to know about this.

Ten months ago I after researching about CCSVI since late 2009 it made perfect

sense to me. I felt we couldn't ponder on the 'ifs' and 'buts' any longer and

Sandi went for it. Since then the docs have learnt so much and the procedures

have become more proficient.

Only god knows what the future holds but the present is good at the moment (not

perfect, but good) - and we are cherishing it.

Cheers and good luck to all.

Pinda

>

> Hi, I just came across this article below by an apparent expert in CCSVI who

says that regardless of whether one stents or does angioplasty, that " restonis

will happen " on average about every 12-16 months. He does not indicate that is a

negative, but rather just that restonosis is something that is a part of this

treatment and should be an expected and accepted part.

>

[Guest guest]

Perversely perhaps, I think that if re-stenosis happens and is accompanied by 

deterioration, which is then subsequently re-stabilised by renewed procedure

this sort of proves the case for CCSVI doesn't it?. It has happened twice to my

wife in one year and each time she has slumped badly only to pick up again after

renewed angioplasty.  My continuing concern however, other than financial, is

the wildly conflicting indications and interpretations put upon the 4 different

Doppler scans conducted over the last 14 months.

Subject: Re: CCSVI article says resteosis is needed in all cases--

needed every 12-18 months

To: mscured

Date: Saturday, 9 April, 2011, 7:52

 

Hi,

The quality of life that this treatment has brought about in my wife for the

last ten months is worth the risk of restonosis. If this is part of the

treatment so be it - however as has said in her earlier post, each

person is different - lifestyle and diet being the key differences which are of

utmost importance for pwMS.

For those who bolster up there bodies through sound dietary protocols and

therapeutic lifestyles I would say that you have a massive chance of staying in

the clear. Since the docs can't clearly say what the effects of CCSVI will be

on a patient (negative or mostly positive) I feel they can't really advise on

restonosis either. We are simply too early in this new chapter of medical

science to know about this.

Ten months ago I after researching about CCSVI since late 2009 it made perfect

sense to me. I felt we couldn't ponder on the 'ifs' and 'buts' any longer and

Sandi went for it. Since then the docs have learnt so much and the procedures

have become more proficient.

Only god knows what the future holds but the present is good at the moment (not

perfect, but good) - and we are cherishing it.

Cheers and good luck to all.

Pinda

>

> Hi, I just came across this article below by an apparent expert in CCSVI who

says that regardless of whether one stents or does angioplasty, that " restonis

will happen " on average about every 12-16 months. He does not indicate that is a

negative, but rather just that restonosis is something that is a part of this

treatment and should be an expected and accepted part.

>

[Guest guest]

Well if this is the case, then the first thing that comes to my mind

would be to take some serrapeptase to delay or hopefully prevent

re-stenosis altogether.

[Guest guest]

That has been suggested, also nattokinase. But it seems that the doctors who

are doing this want you to take aspirin for awhile first.

>

> Well if this is the case, then the first thing that comes to my mind

> would be to take some serrapeptase to delay or hopefully prevent

> re-stenosis altogether.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

See this thread for details....

http://www.thisisms.com/ftopicp-137901.html#137901

Cheers,

Pinda

>

> Thanks Pinda,

> I agree with what you wrote. The diet and other things may reduce or eliminate

> the chance of restonis and everyone is different anyway. Can you tell me what

> your wife's particular improvements have been? Thanks

>