Stents in the long run

[Nasti]

Does anyone know, have a clue or read any predictions about stents in the jugular veins in the long run? I know that there cannot be long-term studies, but have you heard about any predictions?

[dania]

Dr Michael Arata is against stents in the jugulars.
"Mike Arata Observation over the last year has lead us to the conclusion that jugular stents work very poorly. This is particularly true in the left jugular. In the past I would work aggressively to open occluded jugulars. This in part is based on a lo...ng career of treating chronic venous occlusions. Unfortunately angioplasty alone of a venous occlusion generally doesn't stay open. In case of a jugular vein neither does a stent. Getting the vein open isn't the problem...Its keeping it open. My approach now is if it opens easy then perhaps it will stay open with angioplasty."

[Cece]

I haven't heard any predictions. Things to worry about are fracture due to stress from neck motion over time, thrombus, and intimal hyperplasia regrowth. Any of these would lead to restenosis, which could be retreated.

[MarkW]

My prediction is that their use will die out due to the complications currently seen.
MarkW

[bruce123]

My prediction is that their use will die out due to the complications currently seen.
MarkW

My prediction is that the use of stents will be perfected and made safe and will be used in all patients as the only way to insure the veins stay open. Of course, this is just a guess!

Bruce.

[Nasti]

So what do we do, those of us who have them? Live the best and prepare for the worst or just don't think about it??

[MarkW]

My advice is to follow the vascular health and Vit D3 suggestions. Also don't smoke and consume little alcohol. Then 'live in the moment' as worrying is stressful and achieves little.
Best wishes,
MarkW

[Cece]

If possible why not get a doppler ultrasound at whatever schedule your doctor advises (or if symptoms suggest restenosis) to make sure veins are patent and have a plan for what to do if they start to close up.

Since techniques are not yet optimized, I fear that there are people who have gotten unnecessary stents, and that's a bear if they then have to deal with complications. But I don't think complications are guaranteed if you have stents. Just that the risk may be higher. And no need to borrow trouble if you currently don't have complications happening! CUREious is one good example of someone who has had stents that have not given him any trouble, in over two years.

[Nasti]

I smoke 2 cigarettes per month, drink 2 drinks per month, live healthy + coffee, still have low blood pressure and had my last check up in September, I believe I will have my next in September again.

The thing is that, I read somewhere on this forum that past the first 30 or so days post CCSVI, there is a slim chance of clotting up because the stent is covered with epithelia from the vein's wall. Still, my doc insists on having 100 mg aspirin in the morning till the end of my life (literally). I am not so afraid from stent clotting, than from something else, unexpected happening. I don't know.

Thanks for your responses.

[msscooter]

I'm waiting for autologous vein grafts to be on the market in the US and hope the veins above and below my stent are healthy enough to take the graft.

This company is going for FDA approval. they make one vein for now and one for later! "The autologous version of the graft has a commercialization permit and can be sold in Germany". http://www.cytograft.com/clinicaltrials.html

[mammananny]

I don't have a crystal ball, but I do have stents. Eventually I think there will be no need for them, but two years ago there was for me. SO far so good. No restenosis, thrombus or return of symptoms.

[Cece]

I'm waiting for autologous vein grafts to be on the market in the US and hope the veins above and below my stent are healthy enough to take the graft.

Already there are saphenous vein transplants, taking the vein from the leg and putting it in as a jugular, as was done at the Mayo in AZ by Dr. Stone.

[Nasti]

Maybe I've gone through too much, it is kind of hard to get used to being "normal" again. Part of me still doesn't believe it (for e.g. that I can have big stress (or simple trip, or going out) and have no major relapse which would tie me down for months at a time) and maybe part of me does not want to believe it, because I will just have to get out of the comfort zone of "being sick and having an excuse" (sometimes). It's funny, but I grew up with this disease, and now I have to literally re-invent my old self. Even my immune system is waking up, I am getting sick again, going through all the childhood diseases. I think that I got into the phase "OK, this works, great, now what?"
And the experience of sufferer simply does not want to let go of me, I am still cautious. It's absurd. Maybe that's why I am looking for all these reasons. Maybe I just think I need a psychologist. MS is tricky, very very tricky. Personally, I do not think I will ever be wholly cured.

Sorry, just needed to unload, it's like 3am and I can't sleep.

Wish you all the best and thnx for your support.
nasti