Of 500 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) 62% had chronic cerebrospinal veinous insufficiency (CCSVI). MS is not alone in having chronic cerebrospinal veinous insufficiency. In other diseases about 45% also have CCSVI.

Dr. Zamboni, an Italian doctor, treated his own wife with angioplasty — a balloon to clean out the vein that was clogged. Three years later she has had no MS attacks.

Stanford Hospital put on hold its program for treating MS patients with CCSVI after one patient died and another had to have emergency heart surgery.

“Stay on current drug therapy” says Dr. Zivadinov, associate professor of neurology at the University of Buffalo in New York.

Well, that is conservative advise that sounds good. But for patients that experience numerous side effects from the drug therapy that advise may sound hollow.