CCSVI Information
For patients receiving the CCSVI-multiple sclerosis treatment at the Clinics of the Heart, the following are answers to frequently asked questions about our CCSVI-MS Liberation Treatment.
What does recent multiple sclerosis research say about CCSVI being one of the causes of MS?
According to CCSVI clinical trials and research conducted by Dr. Paolo Zamboni, there is a strong correlation between CCSVI and MS. CCSVI, or venous blockages in the veins that connect the central nervous system to the heart, can cause a blood reflux that, in turn, causes large amounts of iron to deposit in the brain. These iron deposits are thought to contribute to the brain lesions of multiple sclerosis.
How effective has the Liberation Treatment been at treating the multiple sclerosis disease?
The Liberation Treatment has been very successful at treating multiple sclerosis. More than 70 percent of our patients have seen an improvement in their conditions within one week of the procedure.
How do I contact the Clinics of the Heart about the CCSVI-MS treatment?
You can get more CCSVI information by phone at 1 (623) 512-0692 or by filling out our online contact form and a CCSVI treatment coordinator will get back to you within a few hours.
Where are the Clinics of the Heart located?
The Clinics of the Heart are located at the Amerimed Hospitals in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo in Baja California Sur and in the Hospital Mexico-Americano in Guadalajara, Mexico.
How can I make an appointment at the Clinics of the Heart for my CCSVI procedure?
Contact The Clinics of the Heart CCSVI English-speaking treatment coordinators by phone at 1 (623) 512-0692 or by filling out our online contact form to check testing and treatment date availability. You will need to make your airline travel arrangements to allow for at least a seven-night stay in Los Cabos or Guadalajara and forward your flight itinerary by email to us. You will receive a written confirmation within 12 hours after we receive your itinerary.
How long is the waiting list for the CCSVI and MS Liberation Treatment?
The Clinics of the Heart does not have a waiting ling list for MS patients seeking the CCSVI Liberation treatment. Just select a convenient travel date and e-mail or call the coordinator to secure your appointment for the procedure.
How long will I need to stay?
In order to have enough time for the testing, procedure and post-procedure auditive and neurological evaluations, patients are required to stay at least seven nights in Los Cabos or Guadalajara.
Why should I consider CCSVI treatment at the Clinics of the Heart?
Experience and professionalism are of utmost importance at the Clinics of the Heart. Our staff has performed more than 350 Liberation treatments on MS patients affected with CCSVI, making us one of the most experienced treatment centers in the world.
Does the Clinics of the Heart schedule my travel arrangements and accommodations for me?
The Clinics of the Heart can reserve your hotel accommodations for you if you choose to stay at the Marina Fiesta Resort & Spa in Cabo San Lucas. We cannot, however, reserve other area hotels, nor can we book flights for you. Please consult your travel agency or one of the many airline websites.
Before the Procedure
What does the testing consist of?
The CCSVI pre-procedure testing consists of:
- Neurological and auditive assessments
- Ultrasound of the jugular and azygous veins
- An MRI will be performed at our clinic unless the patient can provide an MRI taken within 90 days before the procedure.
- Jugular/azygous angiogram by catheterization.
Patients treated in Guadalajara are also required to have a PET scan.
Are any restrictions on medications before the procedure?
All patients taking blood thinners must stop at least three days before the CCSVI.
What tests do you perform to determine if I have the CCSVI condition?
The final gold standard is a jugular/azygous angiogram by catheterization.
Do you require any background information or medical history prior arrival?
Information about the patient’s medical history is helpful but not required.
Can I bring my own MRI?
We accept MRIs taken within 90 days before the procedure. If unavailable, a new MRI will be performed at the hospital in Los Cabos. A PET scan is performed on patients who choose to travel to Guadalajara for treatment.
How will I receive the information for my testing appointments?
Upon arrival, all patients will receive full scheduling information.
Do you offer any alternatives to stents?
We only offer stents when all other options have been considered.
What is the purpose of having the MRI if the venography is much more accurate?
We perform MRIs to obtain brain scans, not vessel scans.
What happens if the Doppler ultrasound of the jugular and azygous veins does not show any blockage?
Decisions are not made based on Doppler ultrasound results because its predictive value is not 100 percent. Patients are taken to the cath lab for a direct angiogram.
Do you need my MRV?
An MRV is helpful but not required.
I am claustrophobic. What can you do for me to take the MRI?
We can sedate you before the MRI, or you can choose to go to our clinic in Guadalajara for a PET tomography scan instead.
About the Procedure
Where is the incision made?
While the patient is under local anesthesia and mild sedation, a small incision is made in the groin.
Can my travel companions be in the room during the procedure?
No. Mexican regulations forbid people other than the staff and the patient to be in the radiation area.
What are the risks involved in this procedure?
The risks of the procedure include allergic reactions to foreign substances, including contrast dye toxicity and reaction to sedatives. The risks commonly associated with catheter insertion and manipulation include pain, bleeding, bruising, transfusion need, hematomas, thrombosis (clot formation) and vessel rupture. In some cases, a corrective surgery may be needed.
What are the risks of a stent?
Risks of the stent include displacing, embolizing, clot formation, rupture of the stent and rupture of the vessel.
What is a stent made of?
We use a flexible stent made of nickel titanium.
Is the procedure done under general or local anesthesia?
We use both local anesthesia and mild sedation in the procedure.
Are costs of complications included in the cost of the procedure?
No. We recommend that you purchase medical travel insurance prior to traveling for treatment.
After the Procedure
Will I need to spend the night at the hospital?
Most of our procedures are outpatient procedures and will only require a few hours of recovery from sedation.
What kind of follow-up and post-op care can I expect to receive and over what time period?
We perform neurological and auditive assessments within 48-72 hours following the procedure. In Guadalajara, we will also do a PET tomography scan after the procedure. We also follow up with each patient by e-mail at one and six months after the procedure.
What about post-procedure physiotherapy?
It is very important and advisable to receive physiotherapy once you return home.
Is it necessary to test again for the follow-up?
No, only clinical assessment is necessary.
How many of your patients have had restenosis, or re-narrowing of the jugular and azygous veins?
We don’t have exact figures at this time, but we have had restenosis patients treated by us and in other hospitals.
How do I know I have restenosis?
Patients who are experiencing restenosis will see a regression of multiple sclerosis symptoms.
If I experience re-stenosis after coming home, is there a cost for returning to Mexico and repeating the procedure?
The cost for a second procedure (if needed in case of re-stenosis) is $5,750.00USD.*
(*) Cost is for patients who had the first procedure at the Clinics of the Heart, patients who had their first treatment elsewhere are considered new patients.
About the Payment Process
Which payment method do you accept?
The Clinics of the Heart accepts VISA and MasterCard credit cards as well as U.S. dollar travelers checks.
When is payment due?
The Clinics of the Heart does not require a deposit or pre-payments for the CCSVI treatments. Payment is due upon arrival.
What is the cost of the CCSVI ballooning angioplasty procedure at the Clinics of the Heart?
The cost of the CCSVI ballooning angioplasty procedure is $9,750.00USD (Nine thousand seven hundred and fifty U.S. Dollars). This cost does not include the cost of MRI or stents if necessary.
Do you provide official invoices?
When the payment process is complete, you will receive a receipt for the CCSVI procedure, which includes the MRI, Doppler ultrasound and the neurological and auditive testing as well as the hotel package.
About Los Cabos, Mexico
Los Cabos is one of Mexico´s finest vacation beach destinations, located at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula.
What airport do I fly into to receive treatment at Cabo San Lucas?
San Jose del Cabo (SJD) is an international airport located about 25 miles from Cabo San Lucas. SJD is served by many major airlines.
About Guadalajara, México
Guadalajara is Mexico’s second largest city. Cosmopolitan yet traditional, Guadalajara is the birthplace of the mariachi and tequila.
What airport do I fly into to receive treatment at Guadalajara?
Guadalajara (GDL) is one of Mexico’s most important international airports. GDL is served by most major airlines.
Can USD be used to pay for things in other shops and restaurants in Mexico?
Although the official currency in Mexico is the peso, U.S. dollars are widely accepted throughout both Los Cabos and Guadalajara.
