Symptoms of a pulmonary embolism can range from mild shortness of breath to pulmonary infarction (i.e. death of the lung tissue). Their severity depends largely on the extent of the blockage. In some cases, typically when blood clots in the lungs are small, symptoms are absent. In other cases, a massive occlusion of the pulmonary arteries can result in sudden death. If you have suffered from a blood clot please contact us for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 news.

The condition can be addressed with varying forms of treatment, including the use of blood thinners, thrombolytic drugs, and even surgery for life-threatening blockages. But these represent solutions that are administered after Nuvaring side effects caused by a PE has already occurred. When possible, doctors will seek to prevent the lung arteries from becoming blocked in the first place. One of the methods for doing so is to install a vena cava filter. Understanding how it prevents PE requires knowing how blood clots reach the lungs.

From The Legs To The Lungs: What Causes A PE?

Pulmonary embolism is usually caused by clots that arrive in the lungs after forming in the legs. These clots develop in the deep veins of the calves and thighs, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep veins are buried among your leg muscles, which contract whenever you move. When the muscles contract, they squeeze the deep veins and propel oxygen-poor blood toward your heart. Thus, they play an important role in your body’s circulatory system.

When clots are present within your leg veins, the squeezing activity of the surrounding muscles can dislodge them from the venous lining. This allows the clots to roam freely, carried along with your bloodstream.

The deep veins in your legs connect to a large central vein called the inferior vena cava. Blood travels from your lower extremities through this single vein on its way to your heart and lungs. When Nuvaring blood clots become dislodged, they are left free to travel along this same route.

The inferior vena cava feeds blood into the right side of your heart. Blood is then pumped into the pulmonary arteries to receive oxygen. Clots, too, can be pumped into the arteries where they become lodged and create a blockage. If they prevent blood from reaching the underlying tissue, you will experience a pulmonary embolism.

If you already have a DVT, and your doctor suspects you are in danger of suffering a PE, he or she may recommend a vena cava filter.

Installation Of A Vena Cava Filter

Because of its appearance, the filter is often called an umbrella. It is metal and functions like a net that traps emboli (i.e. migrating clots) as they move through the vena cava toward your heart. Trapping clots prevents them from reaching your lungs and blocking one of your pulmonary arteries.

The filter is deployed through a catheter. Your doctor may administer general anesthesia or a local anesthetic prior to its installation to prevent discomfort. An incision is made into the groin or arm (and less commonly in the neck) and the catheter is inserted with the umbrella attached to its tip. The umbrella remains collapsed while your doctor guides the catheter into your vena cava toward the targeted deployment site. When the site is reached, the filter is opened and the catheter is removed. The entire procedure can normally be completed in less than an hour.

With the filter installed, wandering clots become trapped while blood is allowed to flow through unobstructed. Emboli that are caught in the umbrella often begin dissolving on their own; if they do, they present few problems. If the trapped clots fail to dissolve, the filter may eventually need to be withdrawn and emptied before being reinstalled.

Nuvaring Lawsuit 2011
A pulmonary embolism is considered a medical emergency since a large blockage can cause extensive lung damage. If you or someone you know has suffered from blood clots, DVT, pulmonary embolism, or other Nuvaring side effects, find out about your legal rights. Contact a Nuvaring lawyer to discuss your options and for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit settlements news.

The formation of blood clots are due to the hormones estrogen and etonogestrel, an active derivative of desogestrel. We are currently filing individual lawsuits for women suffering from Nuvaring side effects. There is no national Nuvaring class action lawsuit covering all claims. Both hormones are released into the bloodstream through the vaginal wall. A study published in August 2009 by the British Medical Journal revealed that contraceptives containing estrogen and desogestrel pose a 7.3-fold increase in the risk of clotting (over non-use). These blood clots can cause several dangerous Nuvaring side effects, many of which are described below.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition in which clots form within the deep veins of your body. This typically occurs within the femoral and popliteal veins of your legs, though it can also affect your arms and pelvis. Clots within these blood vessels can cause circulation problems that lead to pain and swelling. However, there are other concerns that are more serious.

These veins are squeezed by muscles that contract whenever you move your legs. These contractions may cause clots (or, thrombi) to break away from the venous wall. Left unattached, they become free to travel with your bloodstream to your lungs.

Post-Thrombotic Syndrome

Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a condition caused by DVT. It is defined by valvular incompetence within your veins (typically in the legs). Your deep veins are equipped with one-way valves that are responsible for preventing blood from pooling. These valves suffer inflammation when clots form near them. When they become inflamed, they fail to properly regulate the flow of blood, allowing it to pool within your legs. This causes pain and swelling, and may even lead to sores and skin ulcers.

Pulmonary Embolism

As noted earlier, thrombi that form in the deep veins of your legs can break free (i.e. embolize) and migrate to your lungs. Your lung tissue is supplied with blood by your pulmonary arteries. Blood flows into these arteries from the right side of your heart. Clots that have entered your heart and moved into the pulmonary arteries can block them and prevent blood from reaching your lung tissue. This triggers a pulmonary embolism, which can be life-threatening.

Pulmonary Hypertension

An embolus may cause a partial blockage in a pulmonary artery, and thus restrict the flow of blood to your lungs. This causes the right side of your heart to work harder in order to push blood through the restricted opening. As a result, pressure within your lungs will increase, causing a condition known as pulmonary hypertension. This can eventually lead to heart failure.

Heart Arrhythmias

Occasionally, pulmonary hypertension due to Nuvaring blood clots can result in a heart arrhythmia. Depending on its severity, it can cause breathing difficulties and lightheadedness, especially following physical exertion. A particularly troubling form of arrhythmia is called atrial fibrillation, which is defined by fluttering in the upper chambers (i.e. atria) of the heart. This fluttering may allow blood to pool within the left atrium, setting the stage for the formation of clots.

Heart Attack

Your heart is supplied with oxygen-rich blood by your coronary arteries, which descend across the muscle’s surface from the aorta. Blood flows into the aorta upon leaving the left ventricle (i.e. lower chamber of the heart). If clots have formed within the left atrium or ventricle – as can occur with atrial fibrillation – they can migrate into a coronary artery and form a blockage. This causes a portion of your heart muscle to be deprived of oxygen and blood. You will experience a myocardial infarction.

Ischemic Stroke

Blood clots that emerge in the aorta and bypass the coronary arteries may travel toward your brain. Your brain tissue is supplied with oxygen-rich blood by your carotid arteries. If an embolus migrates into one of these arteries and blocks the flow of blood, the underlying brain tissue will starve. You will suffer a stroke.

Each of the Nuvaring side effects described above are caused by blood clots. Each is dangerous, and in the case of some (e.g. pulmonary embolism), potentially fatal. If you have suffered clotting or any of its dangerous byproducts after using the birth control ring, contact an experienced lawyer to discuss your options and for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit settlements news. You may have the right to file a Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 claim against the manufacturer. There is no national Nuvaring class action lawsuit covering all cases.