CCSVI treatment available in the U.S.!

[Shea]

Their website states "Patients who receive a stent will typically need to be on anticoagulation medication for at least 3 months."
I hope this helps.

[Cece]

First, if you have stents implanted the possibility of the vein collapsing is next-to-impossible. That's the purpose of a stent; it's essentially a tubular mesh (see my avatar for an example of a stent) which resists the elastic recoil of the vein. If the doctor is referring to a BALLOON procedure where a stent isn't implanted, then yes re-stenosis is indeed possible and might even be likely over time.

Don't forget about in-stent restenosis: when the growth of the veins (intimal hyperplasia, if googling) that incorporates the stent into the vein (so it can't be dislodged) overgrows and creates in-stent restenosis. Treatable through ballooning.

I think if 15% of Simka's patients were experiencing stroke and paralysis we'd have heard about it by now.

If by blood thinners for life, he means low-dose aspirin, yes that is correct. If he meant anything more, that is incorrect.

[Donnchadh]

Your point is correct; I forgot about the growth of the inner vein cells. An IR pointed out to me that veins are LIVING TISSUE after all.

I can picture a cyclone mesh fence section left on a lawn; after awhile the grass lying below it will eventually grow though the fence meshing.

When the inner vein cells cover the stent, the chances of clotting supposedly drops dramatically.

Donnchadh

[Trish317]

Thanks FlashHack and Shea for the clarification. My recollection was based on these questions and answers. I realize now that Dr. Sclafani's response was a general one in a doctors choice to prescribe anti-coagulants.

My question and concern was based on the fact that my darling man was prescribed Coumadin a little over a year ago for a blood clot behind his knee.

This is probably a difficult question to give a direct yes or no answer to but I'll pose it anyway. If a patient had been prescribed Coumadin, in the past, for a blood clot behind the knee, would that be an indication that it, or another anti-coagulant, should be prescribed post-CCSVI procedure?

no

Thank you, Dr. S!

[bmk1234]

I could be wrong but I seem to remember reading that the doctors in Albany (Siskin, Mandato) do not prescribe anti-coagulants. Maybe someone can confirm that or say that I'm incorrect.

I would find this very odd since these drugs are pretty standard for at least a week following a ballooning of the vein and much longer with stents. I believe that the idea is that you are essentially injuring the vein by forcing it open and the thinners prevent the injured area from forming harmful clots.

From Dr. Siskin.
I would not use a medication such as coumadin if only angioplasty is performed. I don't believe that anticoagulation is necessary for angioplasty but a reasonable compromise may be a daily aspirin.
bmk

[Trish317]

I could be wrong but I seem to remember reading that the doctors in Albany (Siskin, Mandato) do not prescribe anti-coagulants. Maybe someone can confirm that or say that I'm incorrect.

I would find this very odd since these drugs are pretty standard for at least a week following a ballooning of the vein and much longer with stents. I believe that the idea is that you are essentially injuring the vein by forcing it open and the thinners prevent the injured area from forming harmful clots.

From Dr. Siskin.
I would not use a medication such as coumadin if only angioplasty is performed. I don't believe that anticoagulation is necessary for angioplasty but a reasonable compromise may be a daily aspirin.
bmk

Thanks for that further clarification, bmk. Sounds like no with only angioplasty and yes with stenting. I'm sure that each situation is also evaluated to an individual's needs and medical history.

[SofiaK]

Does anyone here know if one has to be just a resident of the USA or a citizen to be a participant in the research study by Dr Siskin's office?

I'm really hoping someone here can help please, please.
Sofia

[Cece]

SofiaK, no, it's not limited to the US. It is not a research study, just treatment.

There is a separate study he is doing, but that is only for local people.

[SofiaK]

I was asking about Dr Siskin's CCSVI study and whether one has to be just a resident of the USA or a citizen.

What do you mean by "local people" Cece?

Many thanks.

[Cece]

people local to the area: Albany, NY

When I talked to Dr.Siskin on the phone, he mentioned this. It's because the research study requires follow-up visits, so for people going to the expense of flying in, follow-up visits would be difficult.

You don't have to be part of the study to be treated for CCSVI...nor do you need any citizenship requirements to be treated for CCSVI by Dr. Siskin.

[SofiaK]

Does anyone have an appointment with Dr Siskin for testing and treatment that they don't want?

I can't get an appointment, never mind soon.
It's just torture not being able to sleep, eat or walk.

I can't handle long travel. Albany, NY (where Dr Siskin is located) is far enough for me.

Thnak you sooo much.
I appreciate your help,
Sofia K

[ndwannabe]

Sofia, check your PM.

[bmk1234]

I had a face to face discussion with Dr. Siskin today. (see BMK, Albany NY, Dr. Siskin thread for details)

Here are some of the details.
• In about a weeks time, Dr. Siskin will have performed this procedure more than any other Dr. in North America.
• He is doing 4 – 10 Liberation Procedures a week.
• He is booked through August.
• Dr. Siskin stated he has called back patients that had called on or before 5/18/10.
o He will call the others back, he just doesn’t want to get to far ahead of himself.
o He stated many people have cancelled and this has “wasted some of his and his staff’s time.
o So if you called on 5/18 or before and haven’t heard from them, you might want to touch base back with them. If you called later than 5/18/10, be patient.
• I asked Dr. Siskin if there was anything he would like to say that I could pass on to my MS friends that have shown and interest in the Liberation Procedure. He stated; “Yes, tell them to be patient, if you are on the list, he will get to you. He will call you back. Don’t spend your hard earned money into going over seas for the procedure, he will get to you.”
• In regards to his IRB and the possibility of getting shutdown without an IRB. He stated “I won’t get shut down. Department Heads have been involved in getting Dr’s shut down. I am the Department Head. I will continue to do the procedure whether my IRB is approved or not. If the hospital for some reason tried to shut me down (he doesn’t believe this will happen either), I own my clinic and I do the procedure there also. I will not get shut down. I will continue to treat people.”

Blaine

[Shueywho]

Thank you bmk1234, your message came at the right time. I was wondering and starting to get impatient. I will take a deep breath and be thankful for everything. These doctors are wonderful.

[Vivianne766]

bmk1234,
Does the fact that people call and cancel make the line move a lil' faster for the rest of us who are waiting.
... oh so desperately waiting to be liberated.