Nuvaring Lawsuit 2011

by Steve Fields on January 7th, 2011

Nuvaring side effects involving pulmonary embolism is caused when blood clots (or, thrombi) block one of the arteries that supply blood to your lungs. If you have suffered from blood clot problems while using the birth control ring please contact us for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 news and information. Claims are currently continuing to be filed by women on an individual basis. Sometimes, the blockage completely obstructs blood flow through the artery. The effect may be mild or severe depending on the amount of lung tissue supplied by the artery. In rare cases, a large blockage may lead to sudden death. Other times, the obstruction merely restricts blood flow. Blood can still move through the narrowed passageway, but additional pressure is needed to maintain the same volume as before.

Clots that cause Nuvaring problems caused by PE typically arrive in the lungs from other areas of the body, such as the legs. When they restrict blood flow through the pulmonary arteries, the result is often a condition called pulmonary hypertension (PH). It is progressive, and can be fatal.

When A PE Increases Blood Pressure In The Lungs

Your heart has two upper chambers (called atria) and two lower chambers (called ventricles). The right ventricle pumps oxygen-poor blood into your pulmonary arteries. These arteries deliver blood to your lung tissue, which replenishes it with oxygen before returning it to your heart. The left atrium and ventricle then pump the oxygen-enriched blood outward to the aorta, which sends it to the rest of your body.

When a clot obstructs a pulmonary artery, the corridor through which blood flows becomes restricted. Because the right side of your heart continues to pump with the same force and frequency as before (initially, at least), blood pressure rises in the occluded artery. The elevated blood pressure is called pulmonary hypertension.

Potential Consequences Of Nuvaring Side Effects

At first, your right ventricle continues to pump with the same regularity as it did prior to the PE. However, it will slowly begin to pump more aggressively in order to push the same volume of blood to your lungs. This becomes increasingly difficult since the chamber is working above its normal capacity. It enlarges and thickens in order to hold more blood, and accommodate the extra strain.

Two notable consequences can occur at this point. First, the pumping activity of the right ventricle, combined with the elevated blood pressure in the obstructed pulmonary artery, can trigger an arrhythmia (i.e. an erratic heartbeat). If it prevents the left atrium or ventricle from emptying properly, blood will begin to pool within the two chambers. This allows clots to form.

The second consequence involves the right ventricle. The extra workload placed upon it eventually becomes too much for the chamber to endure. As it struggles to pump blood through the obstructed artery, it may begin to fail. This is known as cor pulmonale.

Right ventricular failure is not immediately fatal. You will, however, experience increasing chest pain, breathing difficulty, and swelling in your lower extremities. If these symptoms persist, the condition can become life-threatening.

Surgical Treatment To Reduce Pulmonary Artery Pressure

Depending on the extent of the arterial blockage, and the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend anticoagulant drugs or thrombolytic therapy. Both increase the risk of bleeding. If your body is unable to tolerate these drugs, or they prove ineffective, your doctor may suggest surgery.

Rarely, a procedure called atrial septostomy is performed when cor pulmonale is imminent, and there are few other treatment options. A surgeon will create a small hole in the atrial septum (the wall that separates the left and right atria). Doing so relieves some of the pressure on the right side of your heart. The drawback to this approach is that the procedure – often done with a catheter – may set off an arrhythmia.

While a pulmonary embolism can, by itself, be life-threatening, the event may also cause dangerous secondary conditions, such as pulmonary hypertension. If you have suffered from abnormal clotting, PE, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the contraceptive ring’s manufacturer. Contact a Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 lawyer to discuss your case.