Forgo MS vein-opening clinics: Que. doctors

The professional body representing Quebec doctors is advising patients with multiple sclerosis not to seek a vein-opening treatment at clinics outside Canada because the procedure remains scientifically unproven.

At a news conference held Tuesday by the Collge des mdecins du Qubec (CMQ), medical experts weighed in on the controversial MS treatment, which is based on an Italian vascular specialist's hypothesis that the disease is linked to blocked and twisted neck veins.

Dr. Paolo Zamboni believes these vein anomalies, which he calls chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency, or CCSVI, allow blood-borne iron deposits to damage brain cells. He argues that opening blockages in the veins with a tiny balloon can alleviate MS symptoms.

Multiple sclerosis, a progressively debilitating neurological disorder, has long been considered an autoimmune disease. But since late last year, when Zamboni's procedure first made headlines, an untold number of Canadians with MS have travelled to the U.S. and overseas clinics, paying thousands of dollars each for the treatment.

The procedure is not available in Canada, and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq announced three months ago that the federal government is awaiting results of several studies now underway before deciding whether clinical trials should go ahead.

The Quebec college of medicine is taking the same wait-and-see approach, CMQ president and CEO Dr. Charles Bernard told the Montreal news conference.

Wait for studies

"I have received numerous messages from patients afflicted with multiple sclerosis and I understand their need to know where science stands with respect to this subject," he said. "The college is saying to them today that we need to wait for the results of studies that are currently underway before generalizing Prof. Zamboni's treatments.

"In particular, we are recommending to these individuals that they refrain from consulting any medical tourism clinics offering these treatments prematurely with little regard for their effectiveness and side-effects."

A number of international studies suggest that venous obstructions can also occur in people without MS, and among those with the disease, blockages are not always present when symptoms begin, said Dr. Marc Girard, president of the Quebec Association of Neurologists.

"According to preliminary data generated by current research, it would also seem that the venous obstructions appear late into the progression of the illness," Girard said. "As such, these findings show that the obstructions are not the cause of multiple sclerosis, as Prof. Zamboni's hypothesis suggests."

Girard said results from North American studies funded by the Canadian and American MS societies will help determine how research aimed at validating the procedure should go forward.

CMQ director Dr. Guy Dumas, who has had MS for more than 20 years, said he understands the hope Zamboni's theory and proposed treatment raises among patients.

"However, I urge them to exercise prudence," he said. "Patients should not be abandoning their current medications in favour of pursuing an unrecognized treatment. We must be sensible and patient. We must wait for the results of the research presently being carried out before taking any other action."