Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI)

Dr. Zachary Rattner at Southern California Vein Care provides state-of-the-art treatments for Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI).

Chronic Cerebrospinal Venous Insufficiency (CCSVI)

CCSVI is a condition in which the veins draining blood from the brain are abnormal. CCSVI has been associated with neurologic symptoms, including headache, fatigue, and generalized weakness, in patients for whom no other cause has been identified. Case experience and preliminary data suggest that improving brain venous drainage can improve symptoms. Dr. Rattner uses judicious but aggressive angioplasty, reserving the use of stents for only those cases when stents are essential.

Extensive Experience, New Location

Southern California Interventional Associates (SCIA) has performed over 100 CCSVI procedures at our Del Mar facility, and we now offer the service at our larger San Diego office, Southern California Vein Care (SCVC). Both facilities benefit from the same team of highly trained nurses and technologists. SCVC operates within a national Registry group, integrated with top programs across the United States, including New York, Atlanta, and Chicago. Dr. Rattner, in collaboration with national colleagues, is committed to maintaining a high standard of care, incorporating the latest techniques and compiling a national database to benefit patients.

Patient Scheduling

In order to schedule your procedure, please complete the required contact form at the bottom of this page and click on the "Submit" button.

Our CCSVI coordinator will contact you upon receipt of your information and answer all of your questions. Your procedure will then be scheduled at your earliest convenience.

Pre-procedure Evaluation

There is not yet consensus in the medical community as to how best to screen for CCSVI. Two tests that are often performed are a specialized ultrasound study, often referred to as the Zamboni Protocol, and Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV). We prefer that the patient have a Zamboni ultrasound, and MRV is also useful for planning. However, at this time, either of these tests may be used as inclusion criteria for receiving treatment.

If you have already completed either or both screening exams, please forward the results to us for evaluation. Contact information is as follows:

CCSVI Program
Attention: Dr. Rattner
995 Gateway Center Way, Suite 207
San Diego, CA 92102

You may also send your report via email to: ccsvi.sd@aac-llc.com

Costs

Your insurance may cover your treatment costs depending on your specific health insurance carrier. Unfortunately, we cannot verify your insurance coverage for you, but we can supply the list of procedure codes our physicians use if you wish to check with your insurance company before scheduling.

If we are a participating provider with your insurance carrier, your insurance provider will be billed for the clinic visits and for the Angioplasty Procedure. However, some health insurance plans do not cover all, or some of the elements, of the proposed treatments. Our office will attempt to secure a pre-authorization for the procedure, if necessary. If a required pre-authorization is not granted by your health insurance plan, you will be required to pay for treatment out-of-pocket. If pre-authorization is granted, you will still be responsible for any deductibles and/or co-insurance per your insurance plan.

All patients that are traveling from outside of the United States will be required to pay for their treatment prior to or at the time of service.

Any patients that have insurance coverage with a carrier with which we are not a participating provider will be expected to pay for their treatment prior to or at the time of service. Upon discharge, you will be provided with the receipt of payment along with the descriptions of the procedures performed during your treatment for your records.

We accept certified check, VISA, MasterCard, or American Express as payment.