MSRC Comments On Stanford University Reportedly Halting CCSVI Treatments After Two Serious Adverse Events

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Article Date: 10 Mar 2010 - 0:00 PDT

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Researchers at Stanford University have halted treatments for chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) due to two serious adverse events which may not have been accurately reported in some of the press.

The decision was made by the University after two people were reported to have experienced serious adverse events following operations to stent the jugular veins of the patients, a procedure thought to correct help correct CCSVI.

One patient died from a brain haemorrhage following the procedure in August 2009 and another required emergency open heart surgery in November 2009 after a jugular vein stent dislodged and lodged in the right ventricle of the heart.

Dr Jeffrey Dunn, associate director of Stanford's MS centre, calling on other neurologists to speak out about the potential "dangers" of the unproven procedure said: "If I can do anything to protect MS patients from the potentially devastating effects of false hopes or the risks of invasive and unproven treatment, I am happy to do so".

Helen Yates, Chief Executive of the Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) said: "Whilst the case of the man who had to have open heart surgery to deal with a slipped stent is accurate, the case of the woman who had a haemorrhage is less so. The lady in question had a pre-existing condition that meant she was much more susceptible to haemorrhage, in fact it has been ascertained since her death that it was nothing to do with the procedure at all and was, in fact, an adverse drug reaction to one of the blood thinning drugs exacerbating a genetic familial problem. The first case is, of course, a reminder that no procedure is without risk and with stenting, there is always a slight risk of the stent coming loose. It is important that these two cases are viewed accurately and in perspective"

Source
Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre

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