Dr. Carlo Salomoni from the
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The publications supported by the Foundation have generated some confusion in relation to the diagnosis and treatment of CCSVI, since a well-structured institutional response failed to arrive. This sad consequence – which has brought about a great deal of disorientation as far as the patients’ expectations and resulting decisions were concerned – mandates some clarifications on the ACTUAL state of the art. Even if this is already CLEARLY specified in the scientific publications available on this Website, for the sake of completeness it is worth reiterating everything again.
There exists no MAGIC WAND, but only rigorous investigations and clear publications.
The PILOT (Open Label) study on the effects found in the investigated sample at 18 months was published only 7 (seven) months ago; the study pointed out that CCSVI (Chronic Cerebro-Spinal Venous Insufficiency), a vascular disease with full rights, was so intimately related to Multiple Sclerosis that its treatment was also suggested in MS patients to relieve their symptoms and improve their expectations.
From this standpoint, the treatment of CCSVI is proposed as an additional preventive weapon to fight disability, NOT as a way of treating the disabilities which have developed during the years. In these cases, the treatment of CCSVI aims at slowing down the progression of the disease and significantly improving the symptoms which negatively affect the quality of life of MS patients.
BACKGROUND
The scientific results so far achieved and the level of attention paid to these new insights by the public opinion and some regional governments (since, if confirmed by the internationally validated methods, these results would have a highly significant impact on the patients’ lives and on the social costs of the disease; in Italy alone, in 2009, the cost was 2,4 billion Euro) generated the need – both in Italy and in other countries – to carry out adequate confirmation studies which – if positive – would make it possible for everyone to have free access to this type of treatment.
The first study which – in compliance with the rules of the international scientific community must be a randomized double-blind trial – was designed by a special Committee set up by the Emilia Romagna Region and will be submitted to the Ethics Committee of the Teaching Hospital of Ferrara at the end of September. The study will be carried out also in other Italian hospitals which are currently being identified. All the centers involved in the study will form a multidisciplinary team which will perform free research. Aim of this study will be to prove the efficacy of CCSVI treatment so that – if positive results are achieved – such treatment can be provided in the framework of the National Health Service. The reason to participate in and support the study lies in the fact that this and similar investigations are essential to show that the treatment of CCSVI is an important element in the treatment of the disease which, in our experience, is closely linked to it, i.e. Multiple Sclerosis.
THE CURRENT SITUATION
Angioplasty of the internal jugular veins and of the azygos vein – the so-called patency procedure – is a vascular procedure which can be performed by any interventional radiologist and/or vascular surgeon – under full personal and professional responsibility - by reproducing the techniques which have been described by Prof. Zamboni in his various scientific publications; to dispel any suspicion of economic exploitation of the discovery, all these techniques have deliberately been thoroughly described in these publications.
Anyone can therefore use them, since the physician/patient relationship is a personal and private issue, safeguarded by clear regulations.
Instead, the fact that a physician was DIRECTLY trained to perform these diagnostic and therapeutic procedures by Prof. Zamboni can ONLY be proven by ADEQUATE CERTIFICATES of attendance of Specialty Schools, Master courses and the like. One should distrust those who claim that they have a relationship of direct cooperation with Prof. Zamboni without showing proof thereof.
By supporting these scientific studies, the Hilarescere Foundation – of which Prof. Zamboni and Dr. Salvi are founding partners - fulfils the function, which is enshrined in its deed of formation, to promote medical and scientific research in the field of diseases of unknown or poorly known etiopathogenesis where the diagnostic and therapeutic standards have little effect on the quality of life of the affected individuals, with special reference to chronic and degenerative diseases of the nervous and vascular systems. Since it also aims at promoting and sustaining the dissemination of adequate preventive, diagnostic, care and assistance approaches to the subjects suffering from such diseases, it has set up – in close cooperation with the University of Ferrara - two university Master courses to address those physicians who would like to share the experience gained so far on this topic. Other introductory courses were organized – again at the University Center of Vascular Diseases in Ferrara – to cover the diagnostic aspects related to CCSVI.
However, we must make it clear that the training activities and the various forms of cooperation are still being defined. So far, NOBODY – be it in Italy or abroad - can legitimately claim to have been trained by us in the treatment of the disease or cooperate with us in this field. Our responsibility is so far limited to the studies. In the future, it will be extended to those centers which will apply for training and/or cooperation with us; their names will be immediately published on our Website.