Nuvaring Litigation

by Steve Fields on September 1st, 2010

Nuvaring side effects involving deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot, or thrombus, that forms within the deep veins of your body. It usually occurs within the femoral and popliteal veins of the legs. Two hormones (estrogen and desogestrel) are released into a woman’s body by the contraceptive ring; both encourage coagulation, and thus result in abnormal clotting. The dangers are serious. Please contact us for the latest Nuvaring litigation news and how we can help if you have suffered from blood clots.

Dangers Of A DVT

There are three possible outcomes associated with a DVT; it is possible to experience all of them as the condition progresses. First, you will likely notice pain and swelling in the affected leg as the obstructing clot impedes your circulation.

Second, the one-way valves in your deep veins that are responsible for regulating the direction of blood flow become inflamed and suffer damage. Pain in the area will increase and may be accompanied by sores and skin discoloration. This is called post-thrombotic syndrome.

Third, a piece of the obstructing clot may break away and be carried along with your bloodstream. If the embolus (i.e. traveling clot) reaches your heart and lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism.

Anticoagulant drugs are the most common method used to treat a DVT. However, if a clot is large and in danger of breaking away from the vein’s wall, your doctor will recommend a more aggressive form of treatment.

Catheter-Directed Thrombolytic Therapy

Thrombolytic drugs are known as clot-busters because they dissolve thrombi. These medications initiate a chemical reaction in plasminogen and convert it into an enzyme called plasmin. Plasmin digests fibrin, the sticky strands that form a protective net over a clot. As the interlinked fibrin strands deteriorate, the clot dissipates.

These drugs can be administered intravenously or by catheter. The latter approach is preferred if a thrombus is large and in danger of becoming detached. The goal of thrombolytic therapy is to restore blood flow through the deep veins, and thereby minimize the risk of pulmonary embolism and valvular damage.

Venous Thrombectomy: Removing Blood Clots

A high-risk DVT, or one that has developed to an advanced stage (e.g. phlegmasia cerulea dolens) may require surgery. In such cases, thrombolytic therapy may be insufficient given the immediate risk of tissue damage and detachment of the clot. The procedure is called venous thrombectomy and involves extracting the clot from the deep veins.

It is a relatively simple operation and can be completed in less than three hours. First, your surgeon will introduce heparin into your bloodstream to slow coagulation. He or she will then insert a catheter into the femoral vein or popliteal vein, depending on the site of the blockage. Next, a venogram is done; your surgeon will introduce a contrast material through the catheter to better visualize the target vein.

There are two main approaches to removing the clot. The first approach involves drawing it through the catheter as a single mass. The second approach, called percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy, involves threading a thin wire past the clot. The catheter is advanced to the clot, and a device affixed to its tip is used to break it apart. Then, the individual fragments are drawn through the catheter. This latter approach is often necessary for large thrombi.

Is Surgical Extraction Of Blood Clots Necessary?

Surgery for Nuvaring problems involving a DVT are rare and usually considered a last resort. In most cases, the occluded vein can be resolved with anticoagulants and thrombolytic drugs. There are times, however, when use of these medications is deemed too dangerous due to the risk of internal bleeding. Venous thrombectomy offers an alternative.

If you or someone you know has suffered from abnormal clotting, DVT, or other Nuvaring side effects, you may have the right to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawyer to discuss your legal options.