Application
To enroll in our program, please call 602-240-5866 or e-mail us at VIP@lifeguardclinic.com
And yes people have answered my request for feedback from their treatment at AZ heart. They have just chose to do so via email. I can tell you it is all positive thus far. thanks T
Friday, October 15, 2010
From Lifegaurd and AZ HEART
History and Origin of CCSVI
Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a term used to describe compromised flow of blood in the veins draining the central nervous system. Outflow obstructions of the internal jugular veins, vertebral veins, and/or azygous vein and their tributaries result in stasis or reflux of these outflow veins and redirection of flow. Many patients with CCSVI appear to have multiple sclerosis (MS), and many patients with MS have CCSVI. This condition could also be related to other neurological diseases.
Vascular surgeon Paolo Zamboni of Italy proposes that CCSVI has a role in the pathogenesis of MS. He suggests that resistance to cerebrospinal venous outflow causes vicarious redistribution through small collateral veins that cannot handle high flow. Zamboni and his colleagues theorized that the malformed blood vessels caused increased deposition of iron in the brain, which in turn triggers autoimmunity and degeneration of the nerve’s myelin sheath.
Dr. Zamboni and his associates have performed interventional procedures to correct CCSVI and find that 73% of patients improved. Some patients however, may only have transient relief, or no relief of their symptoms.
The Venous Impairment Program (VIP) at LifeGuard
LifeGuard and the Arizona Heart Institute (AHI) currently offer diagnostic testing and intervention for CCSVI. The testing/intervention include:
Bilateral internal jugular and vertebral venous duplex ultrasound taken in supine and upright position
Multi-slice venous CT of the head, neck, and chest to assess venous flow in the internal jugular, vertebrals and azygous veins.
Venogram and venoplasty with possible stent (currently, only when absolutely indicated)
CBC, CMP, lipids, PT/PTT, TSH, and EKG prior to the intervention.
The venogram is performed under local anesthesia. A small sheath (tube) is inserted into a vein in the groin. A catheter is inserted through the sheath and navigated into the neck and chest veins. Dye is injected in the veins to identify narrowing, blockage or other abnormalities. When observed, a balloon catheter is inserted and inflated to open the blood vessel and improve the flow. Currently stents are not routinely used.
Costs/Insurance
If you have insurance that is accepted by AHI, they will file your insurance. Any noncovered services are your financial responsibility based on the cash pricing below. $2,500 for the diagnostic testing package includes:
Neurology record review
Duplex ultrasound
Venous CT
Test results reviewed with physician
Copies of test results
Preparation and explanation of venography and venoplasty if indicated
Consultation with Dr. Diethrich or his designee
••
••
•••••••
Venous Impairment Program
VIP 2632 N. 20th Street Phoenix, AZ 85006 Ph: 602.240.5866 Fax: 602.604.5039
A $300 non-refundable fee must be submitted with patient’s medical records. The $2200 balance will be collected prior to the diagnostic testing if accepted into the program. Venogram, venoplasty, laboratory analysis and EKG are $6,000 if performed. There will be an additional charge of $2,000 per stent if medically necessary. Acceptable funds are cash or credit card.
*Testing done at other locations will only be accepted if it meets the VIP protocol. We suggest that you have the testing here to avert unnecessary expenses.
What is Special about Our Program?
We have a highly skilled staff and testing and interventions are performed in one location over a one to two day period. In addition, Phoenix enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, and offers fine dining, 5 star accommodations, sports and many other activities should you wish to combine pleasure with your medical care.
Out of Town Patients
Once accepted, you should plan on spending a minimum of two complete days to complete your testing and intervention. We will provide you with a list of nearby hotels.
Application
To enroll in our program, please call 602-240-5866 or e-mail us at VIP@lifeguardclinic.com.
Venous Impairment Program
VIP 2632 N. 20th Street Phoenix, AZ 85006 Ph: 602.240.5866 Fax: 602.604.5039
John A. Sutherland, MD - Cardiologist
Director, Cardiovascular Imaging, Arizona Heart Institute
Dr. John A. Sutherland is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology and has championed the applications of vascular ultrasound, 64-slice CT Angiography and MR imaging for advanced cardiovascular diagnostics. He has designed some of the innovative image technology used in our program. Dr. Sutherland joined the Arizona Heart Institute in 1998 after practicing cardiology for 20 years in Augusta, Maine. He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard College in Massachusetts, received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, and completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Sutherland is a member of the American College of Cardiology.
Edward B. Diethrich, MD - Cardiovascular Surgeon
Medical Director and Founder of the Arizona Heart Institute
Dr. Edward B. Diethrich is regarded as one of the world’s pioneers in heart disease diagnosis and innovative cardiovascular treatments. Under the tutelage of famed heart surgeons Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley, Dr. Diethrich completed his thoracic and cardiovascular training at Baylor College of Medicine where he remained as assistant professor in surgery until 1971 when he founded the Arizona Heart Institute, the nation’s first freestanding outpatient clinic devoted solely to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart and blood vessel disease.
Dr. Diethrich actively performs state-of-the art cardiovascular and endovascular procedures using the latest techniques, many of which he developed and brought to market. He is board certified in general, thoracic and cardiovascular surgery and is a member of all the specialty societies representing the cardiovascular field including the American College of Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, Fellow Royal College of Surgeons, and Chairman of the Board of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists.
VIP Faculty Leadership
Chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) is a term used to describe compromised flow of blood in the veins draining the central nervous system. Outflow obstructions of the internal jugular veins, vertebral veins, and/or azygous vein and their tributaries result in stasis or reflux of these outflow veins and redirection of flow. Many patients with CCSVI appear to have multiple sclerosis (MS), and many patients with MS have CCSVI. This condition could also be related to other neurological diseases.
Vascular surgeon Paolo Zamboni of Italy proposes that CCSVI has a role in the pathogenesis of MS. He suggests that resistance to cerebrospinal venous outflow causes vicarious redistribution through small collateral veins that cannot handle high flow. Zamboni and his colleagues theorized that the malformed blood vessels caused increased deposition of iron in the brain, which in turn triggers autoimmunity and degeneration of the nerve’s myelin sheath.
Dr. Zamboni and his associates have performed interventional procedures to correct CCSVI and find that 73% of patients improved. Some patients however, may only have transient relief, or no relief of their symptoms.
The Venous Impairment Program (VIP) at LifeGuard
LifeGuard and the Arizona Heart Institute (AHI) currently offer diagnostic testing and intervention for CCSVI. The testing/intervention include:
Bilateral internal jugular and vertebral venous duplex ultrasound taken in supine and upright position
Multi-slice venous CT of the head, neck, and chest to assess venous flow in the internal jugular, vertebrals and azygous veins.
Venogram and venoplasty with possible stent (currently, only when absolutely indicated)
CBC, CMP, lipids, PT/PTT, TSH, and EKG prior to the intervention.
The venogram is performed under local anesthesia. A small sheath (tube) is inserted into a vein in the groin. A catheter is inserted through the sheath and navigated into the neck and chest veins. Dye is injected in the veins to identify narrowing, blockage or other abnormalities. When observed, a balloon catheter is inserted and inflated to open the blood vessel and improve the flow. Currently stents are not routinely used.
Costs/Insurance
If you have insurance that is accepted by AHI, they will file your insurance. Any noncovered services are your financial responsibility based on the cash pricing below. $2,500 for the diagnostic testing package includes:
Neurology record review
Duplex ultrasound
Venous CT
Test results reviewed with physician
Copies of test results
Preparation and explanation of venography and venoplasty if indicated
Consultation with Dr. Diethrich or his designee
••
••
•••••••
Venous Impairment Program
VIP 2632 N. 20th Street Phoenix, AZ 85006 Ph: 602.240.5866 Fax: 602.604.5039
A $300 non-refundable fee must be submitted with patient’s medical records. The $2200 balance will be collected prior to the diagnostic testing if accepted into the program. Venogram, venoplasty, laboratory analysis and EKG are $6,000 if performed. There will be an additional charge of $2,000 per stent if medically necessary. Acceptable funds are cash or credit card.
*Testing done at other locations will only be accepted if it meets the VIP protocol. We suggest that you have the testing here to avert unnecessary expenses.
What is Special about Our Program?
We have a highly skilled staff and testing and interventions are performed in one location over a one to two day period. In addition, Phoenix enjoys over 300 days of sunshine per year, and offers fine dining, 5 star accommodations, sports and many other activities should you wish to combine pleasure with your medical care.
Out of Town Patients
Once accepted, you should plan on spending a minimum of two complete days to complete your testing and intervention. We will provide you with a list of nearby hotels.
Application
To enroll in our program, please call 602-240-5866 or e-mail us at VIP@lifeguardclinic.com.
Venous Impairment Program
VIP 2632 N. 20th Street Phoenix, AZ 85006 Ph: 602.240.5866 Fax: 602.604.5039
John A. Sutherland, MD - Cardiologist
Director, Cardiovascular Imaging, Arizona Heart Institute
Dr. John A. Sutherland is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology and has championed the applications of vascular ultrasound, 64-slice CT Angiography and MR imaging for advanced cardiovascular diagnostics. He has designed some of the innovative image technology used in our program. Dr. Sutherland joined the Arizona Heart Institute in 1998 after practicing cardiology for 20 years in Augusta, Maine. He earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard College in Massachusetts, received his medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School, and completed his internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at Miriam Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. Dr. Sutherland is a member of the American College of Cardiology.
Edward B. Diethrich, MD - Cardiovascular Surgeon
Medical Director and Founder of the Arizona Heart Institute
Dr. Edward B. Diethrich is regarded as one of the world’s pioneers in heart disease diagnosis and innovative cardiovascular treatments. Under the tutelage of famed heart surgeons Dr. Michael DeBakey and Dr. Denton Cooley, Dr. Diethrich completed his thoracic and cardiovascular training at Baylor College of Medicine where he remained as assistant professor in surgery until 1971 when he founded the Arizona Heart Institute, the nation’s first freestanding outpatient clinic devoted solely to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of heart and blood vessel disease.
Dr. Diethrich actively performs state-of-the art cardiovascular and endovascular procedures using the latest techniques, many of which he developed and brought to market. He is board certified in general, thoracic and cardiovascular surgery and is a member of all the specialty societies representing the cardiovascular field including the American College of Surgeons, American College of Cardiology, Fellow Royal College of Surgeons, and Chairman of the Board of the International Society of Endovascular Specialists.
VIP Faculty Leadership
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