What is CCSVI?

CCSVI stands for “Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency,” a condition where people have obstructed blood flow in the veins that drain the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord). Research suggests that CCSVI is significantly correlated with Multiple Sclerosis.^1,2,3,4

People with CCSVI have either one or more of the following blockages of the veins that drain blood from the central nervous system:

• Stenosis - stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the vein. Stenoses include the collapse of the vein, twisting of the vein, ring-like narrowings in the vein, and other similar obstructions
• An abnormal valve, septum or membrane that blocks or inhibits blood flow through the vein 
• Hypoplasia, agenesis - veins that are minimally formed, or almost entirely missing

As a result of these venous abnormalities, the blood flow rate through the central nervous system back toward the heart is measurably slowed, and blood may reflux back toward the blood vessels in the brain and spine.¹

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