While this is a serious complication of a PE, there are other potential problems that can stem from the condition. One of them involves a particular type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation (Afib). This is a disorder of the heart in which the two upper chambers (atria) flutter. While some types of arrhythmias are relatively harmless, Afib can be dangerous.

Below, we’ll explain how PE problems can progress to the point at which they eventually trigger atrial fibrillation. We’ll also address the dangers associated with this form of arrhythmia.

When Blood Clots Block The Pulmonary Arteries

Blood clots, or thrombi, that migrate into the arteries of the lungs are often dissolved by the body before they can cause a substantial blockage. This occurs through a process known as fibrinolysis. The thrombus slowly deteriorates as the fibrin strands that support its structure are broken down. If the clot is small enough, this process may completely dissolve it.

Most thrombi are too large to be dissolved quickly enough by the body. Instead, they travel downstream in one of the pulmonary arteries, and cause a partial or full obstruction. This prevents blood from reaching the portion of lung tissue supplied by the vessel. If the blockage is complete, the affected tissue will begin to sustain permanent damage. More commonly, a partial blockage occurs. Blood is able to pass through the narrowed opening of the vessel, but the volume decreases.

Rising Blood Pressure In The Lungs And Heart

Under normal circumstances, the pressure inside the arteries of the lungs is low since blood flows freely to the lung tissue. Because of this, the right ventricle (lower chamber of the heart) tends to have less muscle than the left ventricle. Less pumping force is required to push blood to the lungs than is required to push blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

When one or more thrombi block the pulmonary arteries, the pressure within the vessels rises. It also rises in the right ventricle as the chamber begins to pump more aggressively. This increased pressure is known as hypertension. The ventricle works harder in order push the same amount of blood through the narrowed passage of the occluded artery.

Because more pumping force is needed, the walls of the chamber begin to thicken. The ventricle also grows larger in order to increase the amount of blood it can hold. If these circumstances persist, the rising pressure will eventually cause the chamber to fail. This is known as cor pulmonale, or right-sided heart failure.

Even if the Nuvaring side effects caused by a pulmonary embolism is resolved (through dissolution or removal of the offending clot), the pressure can set off an arrhythmia. One of the most serious is atrial fibrillation.

The Dangers Of Atrial Fibrillation

With Afib, the electrical impulses that cause the atria and ventricles to contract spread through the upper chambers quickly and erratically. As noted earlier, the atria begin to flutter rather than complete their full contractions. This prevents them from pumping blood properly to the ventricles. Some of the blood remains in the atria, and begins to pool. This allows blood clots to form.

Once clots develop in the left atrium, they can break off and leave the heart. If they travel into one of the carotid arteries, they can cause a stroke. For this reason, those suffering from atrial fibrillation are often given anticoagulants to prevent clot formation.

Another danger is that the fluttering atria cause the ventricles to beat too quickly. Over time, this can weaken the heart muscle, and set the stage for heart failure.

Nuvaring Lawsuit 2011 Representation
Problems stemming from a pulmonary embolism can be severe, especially if blood clots in the arteries of the lungs are left unresolved. While death is rare, hypertension and atrial fibrillation can be dangerous. If you have suffered from blood clots, DVT, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Nuvaring lawyer to discuss your options.

Doctors may be able to form an early diagnosis of a stroke by noting the patient’s symptoms. Even when this is the case, however, diagnostic tests must be ordered to confirm the suspicion prior to treatment. This is important for ruling out a hemorrhagic stroke as well as other conditions. Below, we’ll describe how magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), one of the most accurate studies for detecting a stroke, is performed.

How A Cranial MRI Works

While computed tomography (CT) scanning uses ionizing radiation, MRI employs a magnetic field and radio waves. You will be asked to lie on a table that slides into a large tubular machine. A powerful magnet is encased within the machine. It encircles your body, and creates a magnetic field that causes hydrogen atoms to align. Then, radio frequency pulses are sent toward the hydrogen atoms. They bounce back and produce a return signature, which is used by a computer to construct an image of your brain.

Each image is called a slice, and requires up to 15 minutes to create. A series of images are taken, and used to build a 3-dimensional model of your brain tissue and arteries. This model helps your doctor detect blockages in the carotid arteries that suggest stroke.

A cranial MRI is noninvasive and painless. In many cases, however, doctors will use a contrast dye – through IV or via an injection – to provide clearer visualization. This is a variation of a conventional MRI called magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). The dye flows through the venous and arterial systems, and eventually finds its way into the carotid arteries. Because the contrast agent displays on MRI images, it allows your doctor to more easily locate arterial blockages in the brain.

Interpreting Results And Diagnosing A Stroke

While a cranial MRI is more sensitive – and thus more accurate – than CT scanning, a CT is typically done first. The reason is to classify the type of stroke, distinguishing between a hemorrhagic and ischemic episode. CT imaging can also help the doctor rule out competing diagnoses, such as infection, abscesses, and hormonal abnormalities. Once hemorrhage and other conditions have been excluded, an MRI can confirm a In many cases, a CT scan will rule out some competing diagnoses, but not others. Here, the challenge for doctors is to interpret the results of the MRI (or MRA). For instance, is a blockage in the carotid arteries due to a blood clot or tumor? Is it caused by a buildup of plaque within the artery? These and other factors must be taken into account to determine whether you are experiencing Nuvaring stroke symptoms, or an event triggered by other circumstances.

When blood clots have been isolated as the cause of a stroke, it is important to identify their origin. The presence of clots within the carotid arteries suggests a high likelihood of future ischemia. For example, if clots have arrived in the carotid arteries after forming in the heart, your doctor may test for an arrhythmia or pulmonary hypertension. Treating the underlying cause will reduce the chances of a future stroke.

Stroke symptoms may be barely noticeable or life-changing depending on the part of your brain that suffers injury. You might experience mild and intermittent tingling on one side of your body. Or, you may suffer one-sided paralysis that makes it impossible to perform your normal daily activities. If you have suffered from blood clots, stroke, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the contraceptive ring’s manufacturer. Contact a Nuvaring lawsuit lawyer to discuss your case. We are representing individual women in bringing claims against the manufacturer. Currently, there is no national Nuvaring class action lawsuit in the United States.

The lungs receive blood through the pulmonary arteries. When these vessels become blocked, blood is prevented from reaching the lung tissue. The lungs become unable to oxygenate sufficient blood for the rest of the body. In severe cases of PE, where a clot causes a substantial blockage in an artery, the patient’s heart begins to strain in order to push blood through the narrowed opening. This can lead to heart failure.

We’ll describe the most common forms of treating a PE below. Because of the dangers posed by the condition, it is considered a medical emergency.

Heparin And Warfarin To Prevent Further Coagulation

Once a pulmonary embolism has been diagnosed, doctors will normally give the patient anticoagulant drugs. The two main types are heparin and warfarin. Both medications interact with the body’s clotting mechanism (though in different ways) to reduce the rate of coagulation. This prevents existing thrombi (clots) from growing larger while also preventing new ones from forming.

Heparin is given through injection or IV, and interacts with the body’s clotting mechanism immediately. It comes in two forms: low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and unfractionated heparin. The former is preferred since it does not need to be monitored, and can be self-administered by the patient in his or her home. There is also evidence that LMWH is more effective for treating a PE.

Warfarin is given in pill form, and requires several days before it starts to interact with the body’s clotting system. Therapy begins while the patient is on heparin. Heparin is stopped once warfarin starts to have an effect. Most patients remain on warfarin for three to six months following a PE. But if the risk of subsequent clots is high, they may take the drug for years.

Both heparin and warfarin can cause severe bleeding. For this reason, anticoagulation therapy may be contraindictated if the patient suffers from an existing blood disorder.

Thrombolytic Medications To Dissolve Existing Clots

Thrombolytics are clot-dissolving drugs. They are given via IV or injection; occasionally, they may be delivered directly into the occluded artery through a catheter. While anticoagulants slow the rate of coagulation by inhibiting clotting factors, this class of medications actively breaks down clots. They contribute to the formation of plasmin by activating plasminogen. Plasmin cuts through fibrin strands, which make up the protective mesh that provides support for a thrombus. By causing fibrin to deteriorate, these drugs dissolve clots.

The most commonly used thrombolytic medications are tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), streptokinase, and urokinase. These drugs can cause severe bleeding, even more so than heparin and warfarin. Hence, they are seldom used to treat pulmonary embolism except in life-threatening circumstances. When the physician gives them to the patient, it is after weighing the risks of hemorrhage against the risk of not dissolving the obstructing thrombus.

Pulmonary Embolectomy For Clot Removal

On rare occasions, a blood clot may be removed from the lungs surgically or through a catheter. The procedure is called an embolectomy. It is performed when a thrombus presents an immediate danger, and other measures cannot be taken to treat it. For example, a massive Nuvaring pulmonary embolism may place the patient’s life at risk. Anticoagulants and thrombolytics may not be able to address the thrombus quickly enough. In this case, the doctor may decide an emergency embolectomy is warranted.

Vena Cava Filter To Prevent A Subsequent PE

Recall that the most common cause of Nuvaring side effects caused by a PE is a blood clot that forms in the legs. It travels to the heart and lungs through a large vein called the vena cava. A small filter can be positioned in this blood vessel to catch thrombi as they migrate. This prevents them from reaching the lungs, and triggering a PE. Vena cava filters are often installed in patients who have suffered past embolic episodes, and are at high risk for subsequent ones.

A pulmonary embolism is rarely fatal, but always dangerous. The outcome is largely determined by the size of a blockage, and how long it is allowed to persist. If you have suffered from blood clots, DVT, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact a Nuvaring lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your options.

Abnormal clotting stemming from use of the contraceptive ring usually takes place in the deep veins of the legs. This is a condition called deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Blood flows from these veins toward the heart via a large blood vessel called the inferior vena cava (IVC). If Nuvaring side effects involving blood clots break free of the leg veins, they can be carried along this same path. To prevent them from reaching the heart, your doctor can install a filter within the IVC. Below, you’ll learn how it is placed as well as some of the problems it can cause.

Serious Problems Caused By Nuvaring Causing Blood Clots

When thrombi remain in your legs, they restrict blood flow until they dissolve. If they are relatively small, your body’s natural clot-dissolving system (called fibrinolysis) will eventually break them down. Otherwise, they will continue to impair venous return, and possibly grow larger over time. Your doctor may give you anticoagulation therapy to slow your blood’s rate of coagulation. This helps your body dissolve thrombi before they are able to break free.

Blood clots that detach from the veins become emboli. As noted earlier, they travel with the bloodstream toward the heart. If thrombi reach the heart, they can be pumped into the arteries of the lungs. Small emboli may be dissolved by your body as they travel through the arteries. Larger ones can become lodged in the vessels, causing a pulmonary embolism.

A PE can trigger an arrhythmia that allows blood to pool inside the atria and ventricles (upper and lower chambers of the heart, respectively). If this occurs, clots can form in the chambers. Those that develop on the left side of the heart can be pumped out of the left ventricle, and into the aorta. Once thrombi have entered the aorta, they can migrate to the brain, causing a stroke, or into the coronary arteries, triggering a heart attack.

The goal is to prevent blood clots from entering the heart in the first place. This can be accomplished with an IVC filter.

How The IVC Filter Is Installed

A radiologist performs the procedure. A local anesthetic is applied to the skin near the groin, and an entry point is created. The filter is installed in the inferior vena cava through a catheter. The catheter is inserted into a vein, and threaded to the IVC.

If visualization of the IVC is poor, your doctor may inject a contrast dye. The dye shows up clearly on x-ray images, and can help your doctor guide the catheter through the vein. When it arrives at the installation site, the filter is deployed and the catheter is withdrawn. The entire procedure can usually be completed within an hour.

The IVC filter is a small metal net. Blood is allowed to pass through it while emboli are caught as they travel toward the heart. The filter prevents Nuvaring and blood clots from reaching the heart and lungs, and causing a pulmonary embolism, stroke, or heart attack.

Complications Following Installation Of A Vena Cava Filter

Installation of an IVC filter is not without risk. For example, the contrast dye may cause an allergic reaction; the filter may be positioned poorly inside the vein; or, an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) may occur. Other complications present even greater risk. The filter may begin to migrate from the installation site. Or, it might perforate the IVC’s wall.

Due to the risks, IVC filters are seldom used for treating Nuvaring blood clots. When thrombi remain in the legs, anticoagulant medications are usually adequate. If they migrate to the lungs, brain, or heart, clot-busting drugs known as thrombolytic medications can be given to address them. If you have suffered from abnormal clotting, DVT, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the contraceptive ring’s manufacturer. Contact a Nuvaring attorney to discuss your case.

One of the challenges doctors confront when a patient suffering from a PE arrives at the hospital is diagnosing the condition. Symptoms, when they display, are nonspecific. They can be caused by a mild heart attack, a severe arrhythmia, emphysema, and many other conditions. A number of tests are usually done to help the physician rule out competing diagnoses. One of these tests is a lung perfusion scan.

The Lung Perfusion Scan Explained

This study, sometimes called a ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan, measures airflow and blood flow in the lungs. This is accomplished by introducing a radioactive tracer into the air passages and blood vessels. There are two steps involved, though the order in which they are done varies by doctor.

The ventilation step focuses on the air sacs in the lungs. The patient is asked to inhale a gas that contains the radioisotopes. The gas carries the material through the air passages and distributes them into the alveoli. A special scanner is used to image the lungs from multiple angles. These images show the doctor the level of radioactive material in the lungs, and reveal areas of accumulation.

The perfusion step focuses on the veins and arteries of the lungs. The radioisotopes are introduced to the bloodstream via injection (typically, in the arm). As they migrate to the lungs, the doctor studies their movement. Areas where the radioactive material accumulates suggests blockages.

At this point in the study, it remains unclear whether the obstructions are caused by blood clots. A comparison of the results from both steps is necessary to narrow the condition to a pulmonary embolism.

Analyzing Results From A Lung Scan

If results from the ventilation step reveal an accumulation of the radioisotopes, but the perfusion step shows normal results, the problem is likely due to obstructive lung disease. This may include emphysema, asthma, or bronchitis. PE is typically ruled out, or results are regarded as a low probability for the condition.

If results from both the perfusion and ventilation steps are abnormal, they are considered a low probability for pulmonary embolism. The exception is when a ventilation deficit is minor while perfusion is severely limited. Otherwise, further testing may be done for emphysema, pneumonia, and other conditions.

If results from the perfusion step show reduced blood flow in the vessels, but the ventilation step shows normal results, a PE is highly likely. At this point, the doctor may choose to conduct other tests to confirm the condition.

Additional Studies Used To Detect A PE

D-dimer testing can be useful as a screening test for pulmonary embolism. D-dimers are small particles of fibrin that are present when clots dissolve. An elevated level of these particles suggests the presence of clots. A normal level can help rule out PE.

A CT angiogram is often used in place of a lung perfusion scan since it is accurate and requires less time. A contrast agent is introduced to the bloodstream, and its movement through the lungs is imaged. The images reveal areas of accumulation, similar to the radioisotopes in a V/Q scan.

Pulmonary arteriography is the most accurate study for diagnosing a Nuvaring PE. However, it is invasive. Given that CT angiography is nearly as accurate, pulmonary arteriography is rarely done. It is only ordered when results from CT imaging are unclear.

It is important to diagnose a pulmonary embolism as quickly as possible. A blockage in the arteries of the lungs can cause extensive damage to the tissue, and lead to scarring. If you have suffered from blood clots, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the contraceptive ring’s manufacturer. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 lawyer to discuss your case.

When a blood clot (thrombus) blocks one of these arteries, the underlying brain tissue begins to die. This happens quickly. As the tissue dies, brain function in the affected area ceases, leading to one or more stroke symptoms.

Why Stroke Symptoms Vary By Episode

To an observer, the symptoms of a stroke may seem haphazard. Some patients experience paralysis; others cope with vision problems and a lack of coordination; and still others deal with memory loss, language impairments, and a host of cognitive challenges. The reason these symptoms vary is due to the area of the brain that has suffered damage.

Your brain is comprised of three main components: the cerebellum, cerebrum, and the brain stem. The cerebrum is the largest of the three, and can be further categorized into four distinct lobes. These are the temporal, frontal, occipital, and parietal lobes. Each lobe controls specific functions, and thus damage to a particular lobe triggers specific functional deficits.

For example, a stroke that affects the temporal lobe may affect your ability to interpret sounds and understand speech. Injury to the frontal lobe can cause urinary incontinence, one-sided facial paralysis, and difficulty producing speech. An occipital lobe stroke can trigger problems related to visual clarity or recognition. And brain damage in the parietal lobe can lead to leg and arm paralysis as well as an inability to perform certain motor tasks.

Most Nuvaring side effects caused by stroke problems are localized, which means they impact specific functions rather than the body as a whole. Sometimes, they impact skills you perform on a daily basis, such as brushing your hair, walking, or speaking. Other times, side effects are less noticeable since they involve functions that are seldom used.

Are Stroke Side Effects Permanent?

The permanence of side effects is determined by the extent of brain damage that occurs. The longer the brain tissue is deprived of oxygenated blood, the greater the damage. If you suffer a stroke where blood flow is restored quickly, it is possible to recover most, if not all, lost functions. On the other hand, a prolonged blockage in the carotid or cerebral arteries is likely to cause permanent impairments.

It is also worth noting that the brain can often compensate for lost functions on its own (i.e. outside rehabilitation). It does this in various ways. For example, there are some functions that may be assumed by other areas of the brain when the primary control area becomes damaged. This is called redundancy. In some cases, brain cells already control similar tasks, and thus can easily assume responsibility for lost functions. As the patient ages, however, this becomes less likely.

Recovering Or Compensating For Functional Impairments

When a brain injury causes deficits – permanent or otherwise – rehabilitation is necessary. The goal is to help the survivor relearn how to perform tasks that were once performed using skills lost due to the stroke. Depending on the impairments, one or more therapists may be involved.

For example, a speech-language pathologist will help the patient cope with communication challenges stemming from aphasia. Occupational and physical therapists will work with the survivor to improve her motor skills, or design compensatory methods for accomplishing certain tasks. Rehabilitation is considered critical for helping the brain reorganize following a stroke.

The side effects of a stroke are uncertain until a medical examination reveals the location and extent of the brain injury. Blood flow must then be restored to minimize the damage. If you have suffered from blood clots, pulmonary embolism, stroke, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawyer to discuss your options and the latest Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 news.

But there are other potential Nuvaring side effects involving a PE that can prove as dangerous. Among them is thrombosis (formation of blood clots) inside the heart. Below, we’ll explain how a pulmonary embolism occurs, and describe the events that lead to clots inside the heart’s chambers.

How A Pulmonary Embolism Occurs

While a number of different emboli can migrate into the lungs, a Nuvaring PE is caused by blood clots. They usually form in the legs. Occasionally, a piece of a clot (or thrombus) will break free, and travel into a large blood vessel called the inferior vena cava (IVC). This vein ascends to the heart. It drain blood from the lower part of the body into the right atrium (upper chamber).

The path of blood flow through the heart is as follows: it moves from the right atrium to the right ventricle (lower chamber), and into the pulmonary arteries. Once blood has been replenished with oxygen, it moves into the left atrium. From there, it flows to the left ventricle, and outward into the aorta. This process occurs as the result of atrial and ventricular contractions that are timed to electrical impulses generated in the right atrium.

Once thrombi arrive in the right atrium, they follow blood into the right ventricle before they are pumped to the pulmonary arteries. Once they are in the arteries, they continue to travel downstream until they become wedged. Sometimes, clots are tiny and dissolve before they block the vessels. Other times, they become stuck and cause a pulmonary embolism.

When Rising Blood Pressure Sets Off An Arrhythmia

Your heart continues to pump the same volume of blood through the occluded pulmonary artery. Due to the obstructing clot, however, the passage through the vessel is narrowed. As a result, pressure within the artery and right ventricle begins to rise, causing a condition known as pulmonary hypertension.

Initially, the increase in blood pressure is mild. You may not notice immediate signs. The ventricle will attempt to compensate for the rising pressure by thickening its wall and enlarging for extra capacity. Occasionally, however, high blood pressure in the heart can set off an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). There are several types, and some – for example, atrial fibrillation – can be dangerous.

Blood Stasis In The Heart’s Chambers

Recall that blood flow through the heart is controlled by atrial and ventricular contractions. These contractions are triggered by a uniform sequence of electrical impulses. Atrial fibrillation is an arrhythmia in which these impulses become erratic and rapid. They cause the atria to fibrillate, sometimes hundreds of times each minute. Because the chambers are unable to complete full contractions, they are unable to pump blood properly. This allows blood to pool inside them, where it stagnates.

Blood stasis can lead to the formation of clots. If this occurs in the left atrium, the clots can move into the left ventricle before leaving the heart.

Complications Of Clots In The Heart

Once blood clots move outside the heart into the aorta, they can migrate down key arteries. For example, the left and right coronary arteries are located near the opening of the left ventricle. Thrombi can travel down these vessels and cause an obstruction. This will trigger a myocardial infarction (heart attack). Further along the aorta, the left and right carotid arteries branch off. These vessels deliver oxygen-rich blood to the brain. A thrombus that travels down one of these arteries can create a blockage and cause a stroke.

Pulmonary embolism problems extend further than lung tissue damage. Under certain circumstances, clots can cause high blood pressure in the lungs and heart, leading to cardiac arrhythmias and clotting inside the chambers. If you have suffered from blood clots, PE, stroke, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the contraceptive ring’s manufacturer. Contact a Nuvaring lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your case.

Because Nuvaring blood clots develop outside this mechanism, your body is less effective at dissolving them. Instead, they often remain attached to the venous wall, where they continue to restrict blood flow. If they break free, they can cause serious complications, depending on where they migrate:

Carotid Arteries – These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your brain. A blockage in one of these arteries will trigger a stroke or transient ischemic attack (i.e. mini-stroke). Side effects vary, and are often severe.

Pulmonary Arteries – These arteries deliver blood to your lungs. Nuvaring blood clots that cause an obstruction in them will set off a pulmonary embolism. Side effects include chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, and seizures.

Coronary Arteries – These arteries supply blood to your heart. A blockage will cause a heart attack, which, if allowed to persist, will result in the death and scarring of the tissue. This will lead to several long-term complications.

Each of the conditions above can be life-threatening. For this reason, aggressive treatment is used to resolve them. One such approach involves the use of thrombolytic medications, known as “clot-busting” drugs.

Delivery Of Thrombolytic Medications: What To Expect

Prior to administering these drugs, your doctor will check your medical history for signs of an existing bleeding disorder. This is done as a precaution since thrombolytics pose a high risk of bleeding. If the condition you are experiencing is minor, your doctor may ask you to describe any medications or vitamins you are currently taking. Many drugs will increase your risk of bleeding. If therapy is not contraindictated, you will be prepared for treatment.

The drugs can be delivered intravenously, through injection, or via a catheter. A catheter is used when a patient’s life is at risk since the doctor can deliver the medications more quickly to the site of the blockage. Typically, the device is inserted into a vein near the groin, and advanced through the vena cava to the obstruction.

How “Clot-Busting” Drugs Work

Coagulation depends on several factors occurring at the same time. First, platelets become sticky, and begin to aggregate along the venous or arterial lining. They form a “plug.” Second, your body’s thrombin system interacts with the protein fibrinogen, and changes it into fibrin. This is a sticky material that forms a protective net over the platelet plug. The net provides support that prevents the plug from deteriorating.

Thrombolytic drugs interact with plasminogen, a precursor of an enzyme called plasmin. In an active state, plasminogen converts into plasmin, which begins to break down the fibrin molecules. This causes the protective net to deteriorate, and the clot to dissolve.

Earlier, we noted that an existing bleeding disorder will contraindicate use of “clot-busting” medications due to the risk of hemorrhage. In such cases, alternative measures must be taken to resolve clots.

Other Measures For Treating Nuvaring Blood Clots

Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs are administered if thrombolytics cannot be used. The effectiveness of each depends on the site of the blockage. When Nuvaring blood clots form in the deep veins (a condition called deep vein thrombosis, or DVT), anticoagulation therapy is the first choice. If thrombi have formed in, or migrated to, major arteries, antiplatelet drugs are given first (anticoagulants are commonly used, as well).

With a heart attack, stent placement is usually preferred over thrombolytic medications. A stent opens the artery, and immediately restores blood flow to the heart. This approach is rarely done, however, unless the stent can be placed within ninety minutes of the event’s first presentation.

Blood clot side effects may be limited to pain and swelling in the extremities in which the thrombi form. But as noted earlier, clots can break away and travel to the arteries. There, they might cause a number of potentially fatal conditions. If you have suffered from abnormal clotting, DVT, or other serious Nuvaring birth control side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 lawyer to discuss your options.

Dysarthria is often confused with aphasia, another disorder that affects speech. While the two conditions produce similar results, there are notable differences between them. We’ll describe the effects of dysarthria below, along with some of the measures taken to help Nuvaring stroke survivors cope with the condition.

Dysarthria Explained

First, it is useful to highlight the differences between aphasia and dysarthria. Aphasia is a disorder that impairs the patient’s ability to produce or comprehend language. It can manifest in many ways, including – but not limited to – difficulty speaking. Dysarthria is a disorder that affects the muscles that influence the production of speech. The patient’s vocal cords and larynx suffer impairment, which makes speaking difficult. The two conditions display in a similar manner, but stem from different root causes.

Dysarthria presents in numerous ways. Some survivors have a slurred speech, or begin to talk very slowly or quickly. Others may start to drool as their facial muscles relax. Some patients may be able to speak fine, but can only do so at a low whisper; others are unable to control the volume of their speech, as it randomly rises and falls.

These and other symptoms are understandably frustrating for patients. It causes obvious communication challenges since those to whom they speak may be less able to understand what is being said to them. This can lead to problems sustaining relationships, as interacting with others in social environments becomes difficult. Consequently, many survivors suffering from dysarthria experience depression stemming from feelings of social isolation.

Treatment For Survivors With Dysarthria

Following a stroke, survivors displaying signs of dysarthria require the help of a speech-language pathologist. This person works with the patient to help recover lost muscle control. Rehabilitation includes several methods that target individual symptoms. For example, the pathologist will help the patient normalize their rate and volume of speech, and their inflection during conversation. He or she will also help the patient regain control over the vocal muscles that influence voice quality.

While there are many approaches to addressing the above symptoms, recent work by speech-language pathologists has leaned toward a technique called the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). This is a widely used approach for addressing speech disorders in those who suffer from Parkinson’s disease. It focuses on aggressive repetition over a 4-week period.

In cases where the stroke survivor’s symptoms are severe and seemingly permanent, alternative measures of communication can be developed. These might include incorporating hand signals, a writing board, and learning to identify social cues.

Additional Nuvaring Stroke Side Effects

Dysarthria is, of course, one of many potential consequences of a Nuvaring stroke. Because the brain is so complex, and influences so many functions, symptoms stemming from blood deprivation are wide-ranging.

For example, a blockage in the blood vessels supplying blood to the occipital lobe may result in hallucinations, blindness, and other visual deficits. A temporal lobe stroke can cause hearing impairments as well as aphasia (described earlier). If the frontal or parietal lobes are affected, you may experience motor skill impairments, difficulty solving problems, and sensory deficits.

These and many other stroke side effects normally call for some level of rehabilitation. In some cases, depending on their severity, they may require long-term care.

A stroke must be treated as quickly as possible in order to limit brain injury, and minimize functional deficits. A large blood clot that obstructs a major artery in the brain can be life-threatening. If you have suffered from abnormal clotting, stroke, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the contraceptive ring’s manufacturer. Contact a Nuvaring lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your case. Currently there have been no settlements and litigation is ongoing.

Once a DVT is suspected, your doctor can perform a number of diagnostic studies to confirm the suspicion. These studies include ultrasonography, venography, and various blood tests. Treatment can only begin once a conclusive diagnosis has been made.

Doppler Ultrasound Of The Legs

Doppler ultrasonography has been considered the gold standard for detecting deep vein thrombosis for years. Venography (discussed below) was once the test of choice due to the clear visualization it offered doctors. However, as ultrasound technology has continued to improve over the years, venography is performed less often.

A Doppler ultrasound allows your doctor to examine blood flow in real-time as blood moves through the deep veins in your legs. In this way, it is different than conventional ultrasonography, which provides images of your blood vessels. By studying the direction and rate of blood flow, your doctor can identify areas that may be partially or completely blocked.

The test is performed with a small device called a transducer. This device is connected to a computer that analyzes data, and constructs images of your venous system. A water-based gel is applied to your skin over the site of the suspected Nuvaring side effects caused by a DVT, and the transducer is passed back and forth over it.

The device emits high-frequency sound waves that penetrate the skin, and bounce off red blood cells as they move through the veins. The sound waves return to the transducer, leaving an echo signature. This signature is sent to the computer, which uses it to compose real-time images of blood flow through the venous system.

The advantages of a Doppler ultrasound are that it is painless and without side effects. The drawback is that it may fail to detect small clots, prompting a need for additional studies.

Contrast Venogram

Once considered the gold standard for detecting a deep vein thrombosis (until Doppler ultrasound assumed that role), contrast venography is very accurate. It involves the use of a contrast dye to help display the veins. Rather than sound waves (as used with ultrasound), this test requires x-rays to provide visualization.

While you are lying on a table, the contrast agent is injected into a vein in the foot or ankle. Your doctor may also choose to deliver the dye via a catheter. As the dye flows through the veins in your legs, your doctor will take x-rays. You may be asked to turn onto your side so x-rays can be taken from various angles.

Your venous system cannot be displayed by x-rays alone, which is the reason a contrast agent is used. The radiation picks up the dye’s trail, and can produce clear images that display its flow. Your doctor can use these images to determine whether blockages exist in your deep veins, and if so, where they are located.

Contrast venography is more accurate than Doppler ultrasound. However, it is invasive. It also introduces ionizing radiation and a dye that might cause an allergic reaction.

Blood Tests To Evaluate Coagulability

Because a DVT is caused by blood clots, multiple tests may be ordered to evaluate your blood’s propensity to coagulate. These studies focus on the activity of key clotting factors in your body. Such tests may include a platelet count, bleeding time, and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).

A D-dimer test might also be ordered. This test evaluates the level of fibrin fragments in your blood near the site of the suspected DVT. These fragments result when clots dissolve. Thus, an elevated level of D-dimers suggests the presence of a clot.

Nuvaring Lawsuit Settlements
Making a conclusive diagnosis of a DVT is important since a clot can break off, and travel to the lungs. This presents a high risk of pulmonary embolism. If you have suffered from deep vein thrombosis, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact a Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 attorney to discuss your case.