One of most significant risks of deep vein thrombosis is that clots can embolize (break away from the vessel), and travel to the lungs. If they obstruct one of the arteries supplying blood to the lung tissue, they will cause a pulmonary embolism. But thrombi can still cause dangerous side effects when they remain in the deep veins. We’ll describe them below.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

The veins are equipped with tiny valves that open to allow blood to flow through, and close to prevent backflow. They assist in venous return, the process by which blood returns to the heart. When clots form in the deep veins, they cause inflammation in the blood vessels. The inflammation damages the valves, causing them to lose the ability to regulate blood flow. This is known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI).

With CVI, blood is allowed to flow backward into the deep veins. This can cause localized pain, and lead to a condition known as post-thrombotic syndrome.

Post-Thrombotic Syndrome

Post-thrombotic syndrome describes the long-term symptoms of deep vein thrombosis. Due to occlusion of the blood vessels (typically, in the legs), blood is unable to return to the heart. It remains in the limbs, causing a number of side effects.

Patients who have suffered from a Nuvaring DVT over an extended period may experience pain and swelling in their legs. The swelling is due to fluid accumulation in the tissues, a condition known as edema. If the venous blockage is not cleared, the skin may begin to show discoloration. Eventually, skin ulcers may appear.

Symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome are usually addressed by wearing compression stockings and keeping the legs elevated. When the condition stems from Nuvaring side effects involving a DVT, the patient may be given anticoagulant medications.

Phlegmasia Alba Dolens And Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens

Phlegmasia alba dolens is a severe – and fortunately, rare – condition that often begins as a DVT. With deep vein thrombosis, blood clots narrow the passageway through the obstructed vessel. Even though venous return is impaired, blood is still allowed to return to the heart. Phlegmasia alba dolens defines a complete blockage of the vessel.

The body at first attempts to reroute blood through the superficial venous system. This proves inadequate, however, since the superficial veins are not equipped to handle the volume. Fluid accumulates, causing a high level of pain and marked discoloration.

The next step in the progression of phlegmasia alba dolens is that the superficial veins become blocked. At this point, no blood is able to leave the limb. This condition is known as phlegmasia cerulea dolens, a venous disorder with serious consequences.

Here, the leg continues to swell, producing additional pain. A greater concern, however, is that blood flow to and from the leg will have completely stopped, causing ischemia. Because the leg is starved of its blood supply, tissue damage takes effect, becoming more extensive as time passes. If the condition is allowed to persist, gangrene will set in and begin to spread. Gangrene must be treated through surgery. In many cases, the condition warrants amputation of the foot or lower leg.

A DVT rarely, if ever, progresses to phlegmasia alba dolens or phlegmasia cerulea dolens. It does, however, place the patient at risk for pulmonary embolism and other dangerous complications. If you have suffered from blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, PE, or other serious side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawsuit attorney to discuss your case.

Women who are using the birth control ring may experience a higher-than-average incidence of abnormal clotting. This can lead to serious secondary outcomes, such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Each of these events can become life-threatening. Hence, if circumstances allow, doctors will often use fibrinolytic (or thombolytic) medications to dissolve clots that threaten major organs.

How Fibrinolytic Drugs Dissolve Blood Clots

These medications are often described as “clot-busting” drugs. In contrast to blood thinners, which inhibit clot formation, fibrinolytic drugs cause existing thrombi to break apart. They activate plasmingen, and convert it into an enzyme known as plasmin. Plasmin digests fibrin. As the fibrin mesh that supports the platelet plug of a thrombus is digested, the clot deteriorates.

The most significant danger associated with fibrinolysis is bleeding. Doctors are particularly concerned about the risk of bleeding in the brain, though it can potentially occur anywhere in the body.

Clotting In The Heart

When a clot ventures into one of your coronary arteries, it can cause an obstruction that prevents blood from reaching the underlying heart muscle. The lack of oxygen and blood triggers a heart attack (or, myocardial infarction). If the blockage is significant, the event can be fatal.

There are many types of thrombolytic drugs in use, but two are given more commonly than others in cases of acute myocardial infarction. They are tissue plasminogen activators (tPAs) and natural streptokinase. Of the two, tPA is preferred since streptokinase is nonspecific to fibrin.

Also noteworthy, fibrinolysis is most effective for treating clots in the heart when it is administered within two hours of the first symptoms. After that point, the efficacy of the treatment rapidly declines.

Clotting In The Lungs

The biggest concern with a DVT is that Nuvaring side effects involving blood clots can become dislodged, and travel into your pulmonary arteries. These arteries supply blood to your lungs. Clots that migrate downstream within them can cause a blockage, and prevent blood from reaching your lung tissue. This will trigger a pulmonary embolism; a massive PE can result in sudden death.

The preferred thrombolytic approach involves tPAs and streptokinase. With regard to tPAs, alteplase is sometimes used, though retaplase is favored because it is takes effect more quickly. In some cases, another fibrinolytic medication called urokinase may be given. However, it poses a higher risk of bleeding.

Clotting In The Brain

Blood clots that travel into your carotid arteries can cause a blockage that prevents oxygen and blood from reaching your brain. This triggers a stroke. Your brain tissue is susceptible to near-immediate injury stemming from a lack of oxygenated blood. The more quickly treatment can be administered, the less severe the side effects.

Of the three main classes of fibrinolytic drugs (i.e. tPA, streptokinase, and urokinase), tPA is most commonly given. There is a significant risk, however, that introducing a tissue plasminogen activator will cause a cerebral hemorrhage. Moreover, such drugs are most effective when they are given within three hours of the first symptoms. As with a myocardial infarction, the efficacy of thrombolysis declines quickly after that point. Your doctor must weigh the benefits of using a tPA against the potential risk of a brain hemorrhage.

Blood clots pose serious risks because they can migrate into key arteries, and cause medical emergencies. If you have suffered from abnormal clotting, DVT, PE, or other Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawyer to discuss your options.

If warfarin and LMWH prove ineffective, doctors can treat Nuvaring side effects involving a DVT with clot-busting drugs known as thrombolytics. However, when anticoagulants are contraindicated (usually, due to a risk of bleeding), thrombolytics are seldom used. In such cases, invasive procedures – including surgery – become viable treatment options.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolysis

Clot-busting medications are typically introduced via injection or intravenous line (IV). They are given when a DVT is large, and there is a significant risk it will break off and travel to the patient’s lungs. In some cases, doctors will decide to deliver the medications directly to the site of the blockage rather than wait for them to arrive through the bloodstream. This is accomplished with a catheter.

The catheter is inserted into a vein, and advanced to the thrombus. The thrombolytic agent (e.g. tissue plasminogen activator, streptokinase, etc.) is then released to break down the clot. It is worth noting that most patients cannot receive clot-busting drugs due to the risk of hemorrhage. Moreover, even when thrombolytic drugs are given, they may be unable to penetrate beneath the surface of a large thrombus.

Venous Thrombectomy

When medications are unable to slow the rate of coagulation or dissolve existing clots, surgical intervention may be necessary. It is rarely done, and typically reserved for extreme cases of deep vein thrombosis, such as when a condition called phlegmasia cerulea dolens presents. Here, a complete occlusion of the affected vein impairs venous return to the point that cyanosis occurs in the extremity (typically, the leg). This presents a risk of gangrene as the limb is deprived of blood and oxygen. Venous thrombectomy – the surgical removal of the clot – is necessary to avoid amputation of the limb.

This procedure can be done using one of two methods. A surgical thrombectomy requires an incision over, or near, the site of the blockage. The surgeon will then advance a catheter to the site, and remove the thrombus. A percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy also involves a catheter, but here it is used to break apart the thrombus with a high-powered jet of liquid.

A venous thrombectomy usually requires up to three hours, after which the patient is encouraged to wear compression stockings. An anticoagulant – in most cases, heparin – is given to prevent clotting following the procedure.

There are two noteworthy items regarding a surgical intervention for a DVT. First, the procedure does not preclude a recurrence of the condition. Second, there is a risk that an existing clot may be knocked loose during the operation. This will allow the clot to travel to the lungs, where it can cause a pulmonary embolism.

Installation Of A Vena Cava Filter

Surgery to resolve a deep vein thrombosis is normally accompanied by the placement of a filter in the inferior vena cava (IVC). This is a large vein that delivers blood from the lower limbs to the heart and lungs. The purpose of this filter is to catch emboli as they migrate through the IVC. By catching blood clots before they reach the lungs, the IVC filter prevents a pulmonary embolism.

Most venous problems that stem from a DVT can be addressed successfully with anticoagulant medications. When these drugs cannot be used, or they fail to control clotting, surgical therapy is often warranted. If you have suffered from blood clots, deep vein thrombosis, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced attorney to discuss your options and the latest Nuvaring lawsuit 2012 updates.

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.