Latest news with #LVA
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
China bans surgical treatment of Alzheimer's
Beijing: China has banned surgical treatment of Alzheimer's disease after it was performed in about 400 hospitals over four years, saying there is a lack of high-quality medical evidence to support its safety and effectiveness. The procedure, known as lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA), involves connecting the patient's lymph vessels to veins near the neck to speed up the flow and drainage of lymph fluid. The aim is to boost the removal of harmful brain proteins and slow the disease's progression. The National Health Commission said it has recently learned that some medical institutions are conducting lymphaticovenous anastomosis, also known as LVA surgery, on patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Following the commission's discovery, it conducted assessments on the procedure's safety and efficacy, the Commission said in a notice. "Our evaluation concludes that there is a lack of evidence from preclinical studies in the use of LVA surgery for Alzheimer's disease treatment ," it said, state-run China Daily reported on Friday. "The procedure remains at an early stage of clinical research with its indications and contraindications yet to be clarified, and there is insufficient medical or health economic evidence attesting to its safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness," the commission added. Local health authorities are advised to instruct medical institutions to halt treating Alzheimer's disease with LVA surgery and guarantee proper follow-up care for affected patients. "When sufficient preclinical evidence is collected, qualified medical institutions can carry out clinical studies under the full deliberation of ethics committees," it added. The surgery has grown in popularity, particularly over the past year, since it was first performed in 2021 by a microsurgery expert from a private hospital in Hangzhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang. Based on publicly available information, an estimated 382 hospitals across almost all Chinese provinces had performed the procedure by the end of June, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. Alzheimer's disease - the leading cause of dementia - is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. When the surgery first came to public attention, some Chinese doctors promoted it enthusiastically on social media, claiming it was "effective for 60 to 80 per cent of patients", according to the Post report. But it has also been met with scepticism, with some medical experts questioning its fundamental mechanism and long-term effectiveness. Dr Fan Dongsheng, a professor in the neurology department at Peking University Third Hospital, warned that the scientific mechanism behind the treatment had not been well studied and was at present not convincing. He told the Post that the reported improvements in patient symptoms were qualitative and not based on the accepted evaluation system. Fan welcomed the government's decision to halt the treatment, calling it "apparently problematic" that many hospitals, even small ones, performed the surgery extensively without solid evidence and had charged patients for it. Users on the Chinese social media platforms, however, expressed their anxiety that diagnosed family members would no longer be able to receive the treatment. "If the patient's family agrees, I think it's worth trying because some patients are in a really serious condition and their families are exhausted and desperate," a person from northeastern Liaoning wrote. One man said that his father, who was treated in March, had recovered well and could now recognise people and look after himself. If surgery had the potential to improve patients' conditions, "most families would choose to give it a try", he told the Post. PTI
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
China bans surgical treatment of Alzheimer's
China has banned surgical treatment of Alzheimer's disease after it was performed in about 400 hospitals over four years, saying there is a lack of high-quality medical evidence to support its safety and effectiveness. Alzheimer's disease – the leading cause of dementia - is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills.(Pixabay) The procedure, known as lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA), involves connecting the patient's lymph vessels to veins near the neck to speed up the flow and drainage of lymph fluid. The aim is to boost the removal of harmful brain proteins and slow the disease's progression. The National Health Commission said it has recently learned that some medical institutions are conducting lymphaticovenous anastomosis, also known as LVA surgery, on patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Following the commission's discovery, it conducted assessments on the procedure's safety and efficacy, the Commission said in a notice. "Our evaluation concludes that there is a lack of evidence from preclinical studies in the use of LVA surgery for Alzheimer's disease treatment," it said, state-run China Daily reported on Friday. "The procedure remains at an early stage of clinical research with its indications and contraindications yet to be clarified, and there is insufficient medical or health economic evidence attesting to its safety, efficacy and cost-effectiveness," the commission added. Local health authorities are advised to instruct medical institutions to halt treating Alzheimer's disease with LVA surgery and guarantee proper follow-up care for affected patients. "When sufficient preclinical evidence is collected, qualified medical institutions can carry out clinical studies under the full deliberation of ethics committees," it added. The surgery has grown in popularity, particularly over the past year, since it was first performed in 2021 by a microsurgery expert from a private hospital in Hangzhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang. Based on publicly available information, an estimated 382 hospitals across almost all Chinese provinces had performed the procedure by the end of June, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. Alzheimer's disease – the leading cause of dementia - is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. When the surgery first came to public attention, some Chinese doctors promoted it enthusiastically on social media, claiming it was 'effective for 60 to 80 per cent of patients', according to the Post report. But it has also been met with scepticism, with some medical experts questioning its fundamental mechanism and long-term effectiveness. Dr Fan Dongsheng, a professor in the neurology department at Peking University Third Hospital, warned that the scientific mechanism behind the treatment had not been well studied and was not convincing at present. He told the Post that the reported improvements in patient symptoms were qualitative and not based on the accepted evaluation system. Fan welcomed the government's decision to halt the treatment, calling it 'apparently problematic' that many hospitals, even small ones, performed the surgery extensively without solid evidence and had charged patients for it. Users on the Chinese social media platforms, however, expressed their anxiety that diagnosed family members would no longer be able to receive the treatment. 'If the patient's family agrees, I think it's worth trying because some patients are in a really serious condition and their families are exhausted and desperate,' a person from northeastern Liaoning wrote. One man said that his father, who was treated in March, had recovered well and could now recognise people and look after himself. If surgery had the potential to improve patients' conditions, 'most families would choose to give it a try', he told the Post.
South China Morning Post
11-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
China bans popular Alzheimer's disease surgery pending clinical studies
Beijing has banned a surgical treatment for Alzheimer's disease that has been carried out in almost 400 hospitals across China, but has left open the possibility that it could be re-evaluated after rigorous clinical trials. The procedure, known as lymphatic-venous anastomosis (LVA), involves connecting the patient's lymph vessels to veins near the neck to speed up the flow and drainage of lymph fluid. The aim is to boost the removal of harmful brain proteins and slow the disease's progression. The surgery has grown in popularity, particularly over the past year, since it was first performed in 2021 by a microsurgery expert from a private hospital in Hangzhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang. Based on publicly available information, an estimated 382 hospitals across almost all Chinese provinces had performed the procedure by the end of June. However, in a notice on Tuesday, the National Health Commission said the therapy was still in the exploratory stage of clinical research, with indications and contraindications yet to be clearly defined. 'There is a lack of high-quality medical evidence supporting its safety and efficacy,' the notice said. The procedure has been prohibited for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, pending further clinical studies.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Controversial podcaster will not speak at veterans' group convention in Norfolk
Stew Peters, the controversial podcast host who had been slated to speak at an upcoming veterans reunion in Norfolk, reportedly will not appear at the event. The Liberty Veterans' Association will hold its annual reunion on the anniversary of the USS Liberty bombing from June 6-9 at the Sheraton Waterside Norfolk Hotel. Peters, whom the Anti-Defamation League has described as an anti-Semite, was named as a speaker, in an unconfirmed social media post that quickly drew attention to the event and the hotel. The LVA confirmed Peters was scheduled to speak at the event, but said the other two men aren't speaking and aren't registered to attend. WTKR reported on Tuesday that Marriott, the owner of the Sheraton Waterside Norfolk Hotel, banned Peters. WTKR's report quoted an association spokesperson as saying that Peters was banned from 'entering their property and has advised us he is not to speak.' The spokesman, veteran's association board member John Dixon, declined to comment about Peters' status to The Virginian-Pilot on Tuesday. The association's annual event is meant to honor the survivors of Israel's bombing of the USS Liberty bombing in 1967, which killed 34 sailors and injured 170 others. Israel has maintained that the attack was a mistake, but many members of the Norfolk-based Liberty Veterans' Association believe it was intentional. The LVA's leadership has attempted to distance themselves from accusations of antisemitism, saying in an email to The Pilot that they don't share all the 'views, beliefs, or behavior' of their supporters, 'but … we stand and defend all Americans constitutional rights including the first amendment.' The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4809 is hosting a memorial service at the USS Liberty Monument at their post on June 8 as part of the LVA's reunion festivities, according to the LVA's website and the official flyer for the reunion. Eric Mallett, incoming commander of Post 4809, said in a statement in response to the reported speakers that 'white supremacy and antisemitism have no place in the VFW.' Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806,
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A veterans' reunion sits at the center of an online storm in Norfolk
An online flyer promoting a trio of controversial speakers at an upcoming reunion of the survivors of the 1967 bombing of the USS Liberty is fake, organizers say — but one of the speakers named in the flyer is scheduled to speak. The Liberty Veteran's Association will hold its 58th anniversary reunion from June 6-9 at the Sheraton Waterside in Norfolk. This year, the small, private event and the hotel became the focus of days of criticism as pictures of the flyer circulated online. The flyer claimed that speakers at the event would include Stew Peters. The flyer has ricocheted around social media for at least the past two weeks, prompting calls for boycotts of the hotel and condemnations of the veterans' organization. Peters, host of the podcast/radio program 'The Stew Peters Show,' will be speaking at the event, according to Mo Shafer, executive director of the Liberty Veteran's Association and a survivor of the bombing. Shafer said the other two mentioned in the original flyer 'are not speaking' and that they 'have not registered' for the event. The Anti-Defamation League has called Peters a 'Christian nationalist and prolific antisemite.' In his coverage of the naming of the new pope, Peters claimed the Catholic church 'has been subverted by Jews, just like the United States.' John Dixon, a board member and spokesperson for the Liberty Veteran's Association, claimed the flyer was made by a Pennsylvania-based leftist organization. That organization denied making the flyer when reached for comment via Instagram. Dixon said the association does not share the views of everyone that supports them. 'This DOES NOT mean we as the LVA share or condone all the views, beliefs, or behavior our supporters have, but as all veterans have done, we stand and defend all Americans constitutional rights including the first amendment,' Dixon wrote in an email. Attempts to reach Peters and one of the others named in the flyer for comment via X, and through their personal website contact forms, were unsuccessful. Marriott did not respond to a request for comment on the event Monday morning. The USS Liberty was bombed by Israel during the Six Day War, killing 34 sailors and injuring 170 others. Israel has maintained that the attack was a mistake, but many members of the Norfolk-based Liberty Veteran's Association believe it was intentional. Shafer insisted that the organization does not condone anti-Semitism. 'Our 58th Anniversary is no different than all the other reunions we have had. It is for one reason, and that is to enjoy the fellowship of our survivors and our supporters and have two days of fellowship and love,' Shafer said in an email. 'There is no intent of any political agenda and whoever we have at our reunion is nobody's business.' Association leadership did not respond to multiple emailed requests for a full list of speakers at the event. Gavin Stone, 757-412-4806,
