On 12 February 2021, the MS Network of Care and CCSVI Australia jointly provided the Australian Government’s Health Technology Reference Group (an advisory body for all Australian and New Zealand Health Ministers) with a 10-year evaluation of what is being learnt regarding the role of Angioplasty in treating CCSVI conditions in MS. In doing this it sought guidance about the role of the Technology Reference Group in guiding Ministers (and medical professionals) about the potential benefits of Venoplasty for many of those living with an MS diagnosis.

More about this request for guidance is at:

http://www.msnetwork.org/evidence/health-ministers.html

What makes this evaluation different is that it incorporates and respects the importance of long-term patient centred qualitative benchmarks in the evaluation process – something often marginalised or ignored by decision makers.

While many of those living with an MS diagnosis have some awareness about the potential impact of blood-flow irregularities on MS progression this evaluation identifies and prioritises what has been learnt to date along with possible strategies for translating what is being learnt into patient benefits.  No new medical procedures or medications are necessarily involved.

Read the evaluation and associated recommendations at:

http://www.msnetwork.org/headlines/ccsvi-action-strategy.htm