The veins and arteries carry blood throughout the body. If an object forms in the bloodstream, it can travel back to the lungs and creates a blockage. The lungs cannot get blood, and that lack of blood and oxygen causes serious damage to the cells in the lungs.

PE can be caused by tissue, fat or air bubbles in the bloodstream, but the most prevalent cause of a PE is a blood clot. Blood clots may form in the lower extremities, although some may form in the heart as well. Blood clots are more likely to form in older people, but can occur in anyone. Those with heart malfunctions or recent surgery have a higher risk.

Blood clots are may form in healthy people as a result of inactivity, such as in a long plane ride. They may form in pregnant women as the weight of the baby on the pelvis can slow down the flow of blood, making it more likely to clot. Those who are dehydrated may develop clots because the blood has thickened.

It can also occur in those who use estrogen medications. Women who use NuvaRing contraceptives have had a higher incidence of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms because of the way the birth control medicine affects clotting. These Nuvaring side effects can sometimes result in life-threatening situations if the blood clot breaks free and travel to the lungs or brain.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Embolism

When a blood clot has not yet reached the lungs, a person may not even be aware of any symptoms. However, she may notice warmth, pain or swelling in the area of the clot, which typically occurs in the upper or lower leg. The limb may also feel heavier or look paler than the other.

If the clot reaches the lungs, a person may notice sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that does not go away with rest, wheezing, fast heartbeat, or begin coughing blood. Once the clot has reached the lungs, it is essential to get medical attention immediately.

Once PE is diagnosed, the physician will determine what type of medicine to administer. Blood clots typically dissolve on their own. If the clot has not reached the lungs, doctors may give medicines to keep the clot from getting bigger and to keep it from traveling to the lungs. If the clot is already in the lungs, the patient may be given a strong type of medication called a thrombolytic, which can dissolve the clot, but may also cause severe bleeding, and is only used in a life-threatening situation. Doctors may also try to extract a clot using a catheter inserted into the area.

If you have concerns about pulmonary embolism, contact your doctor to discuss how your history, health and lifestyle may affect your risk factors. If you have used the NuvaRing contraceptive and have had any symptoms of pulmonary embolism, contact your doctor immediately.

For information on how NuvaRing may have affected your condition, contact us. We currently represent women throughout the United States who have suffered from blood clots and pulmonary embolisms after using the birth control ring. There is a limited time to file a Nuvaring lawsuit depending on the relevant statute of limitations.

Sprint Fidelis Leads

Internal cardioverter defibrillators are used to monitor and regulate the heartbeat of patients who suffer from sudden and life-threatening arrhythmias. The defibrillators are implanted in the patient, and the leads channel from the device to the heart. These leads help the device communicate with the heart, and also provide the pathway to deliver an electric jolt if needed, to return the heart to a regular rhythm.

The Sprint Fidelis leads are narrower than previous models, which made them easier to implant. However, patients began experiencing lead problems when the wires began to spontaneously break. When a Medtronic lead fracture occurred, the heart could not accurately communicate with the defibrillator. In some cases, this means that the defibrillator would mistakenly receive a message that the heart was beating irregularly, and therefore the defibrillator would send a jolt of electricity to the heart. In other cases, a heart might be beating abnormally, but the leads would not transmit that message, thereby creating a life-threatening condition.

Medtronic Lead Recall

Unlike a food or pharmaceutical recall, a patient with a questionable Sprint Fidelis lead cannot just discontinue using the product. Because it is intertwined with the heart, it can be tricky to remove the leads. In fact, of the 13 known fatalities attributed to the use of Sprint Fidelis leads, four of them occurred as a result of the process of removing the leads.

While Medtronic did recall the Sprint Fidelis leads, they acknowledge that patients with asymptomatic leads should leave them in place. Those patients are in limbo while they wonder if their device is working, or while they fear an unneeded “kick in the chest.”

Patients who need to have their recalled leads removed are advised to seek a surgeon experienced in lead removal at a medical facility that frequently performs this process.

Patients Frustration Results in Medtronic Lawsuits

Many of the 125,000 people who still have the recalled leads implanted are frustrated. They claim that the Sprint Fidelis leads had problems soon after it hit the market. They believe that Medtronic was aware of these problems, but did not choose to recall the product for years. As a result, patients are filing lawsuits seeking compensation for the injuries, psychological distress and financial expenses they have endured.

If you have a defibrillator with recalled Sprint Fidelis leads, we invite you to contact us for a free consultation to discuss your legal options including filing a Medtronic lead lawsuit. As always, there are never any fees unless we win compensation for your case.

However, FDA has received reports of complications associated with the hernia mesh. The complications include adverse reactions to the mesh, adhesions (when the loops of the intestines adhere to each other or the mesh), and injuries to nearby organs, nerves or blood vessels. Other complications of hernia repair can occur with or without the mesh, including infection, chronic pain and hernia recurrence. Most of the complications reported so far have been associated with mesh products that have been recalled and are no longer on the market.

Which hernia mesh patches have been recalled?

The hernia mesh patches that have been recalled were manufactured by Davol, Inc., and released under the brand names Bard, Composix, and Kugel. In some cases, the ring in these hernia repair mesh patches has broken. This has caused severe injuries to patients’ internal organs and tissue, including bowel obstructions, bowel perforations, and chronic enteric fistulas.

The first Kugel mesh recall was issued on December 22, 2005, when Davol, Inc. recalled its extra large hernia mesh patch. Davol notified U.S. customers of the initial recall by letter on December 27, 2005, which it sent via Federal Express.

In March 2006, the recall was expanded. Since the March 2006 recall expansion, Davol received four confirmed complaints of recoil ring breakage from one of their product codes manufactured between January 2004 and September 2005. Davol issued letters to hospitals and health care professionals on March 24, 2006, alerting them to the additional recalled products.

On January 10, 2007, Davol, Inc. issued another hernia mesh recall for patches that were manufactured before October 2005. Davol sent letters to health care professionals and distributors notifying them of the most recent expansion of this recall of specific lots of Bard, Composix, and Kugel mesh patches. The letter stated that surgeons and hospitals should stop using the recalled product and return unused units to the company.

Hernia Mesh Lawsuit
If you or a family member has been affected by hernia mesh problems please contact us for a free no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options and the latest hernia patch lawsuit news.

What manufacturer and what products are causing infections?
The hernia mesh patches that have been associated with infections were manufactured by Davol, Inc. They have been released under the brand names Bard, Composix, and Kugel. These mesh patches were approved by the FDA in 1996.

Are these products still on the market?
The hernia mesh patches that have caused most infections are no longer on the market. The first hernia mesh recall was issued on December 22, 2005, when Davol, Inc. recalled its extra large Kugel mesh patch. In March 2006, the recall was expanded. Since the March 2006 recall expansion, Davol received four confirmed complaints of recoil ring breakage from one of their product codes manufactured between January 2004 and September 2005. Davol issued letters to hospitals and health care professionals on March 24, 2006, alerting them to the additional recalled products.

On January 10, 2007, Davol, Inc. issued another hernia mesh recall for patches that were manufactured before October 2005. Davol sent letters to health care professionals and distributors notifying them of the most recent expansion of this recall of specific lots of Bard, Composix, and Kugel mesh patches. The letter stated that surgeons and hospitals should stop using the recalled product and return unused units to the company.

What effects do hernia mesh infections cause?
In some cases, the ring in the Kugel mesh patch has broken. This has caused the hernia mesh infection, which has lead to severe injuries to patients’ internal organs and tissue, including bowel obstructions, bowel perforations, and chronic enteric fistulas. Other complications include adverse reactions to the mesh, adhesions (when the loops of the intestines adhere to each other or the mesh), and injuries to nerves or blood vessels.

What should I talk to my doctor about before receiving a hernia mesh?
Before having a hernia operation, be sure to let the surgeon know if you’ve had a past reaction to materials used in surgical mesh or sutures, such as polypropylene. The FDA also recommends that you ask specific questions about hernia mesh complications, including the pros and cons of using a surgical mesh, and, if a surgical mesh will be used, what’s been the doctor’s experience with this particular product, and with treating potential hernia mesh complications?

What should I do if I have suffered an infection from a hernia mesh?
If you have experienced any hernia mesh infection, seek immediate medical treatment. Once you have stabilized, you should contact an experienced hernia mesh recall lawyer right away.

Deep vein thrombosis occurs typically in the upper or lower leg, when blood flow slows and begins to pool. This can be the result of a variety of causes including inactivity, physical conditions like obesity or pregnancy, or medications like NuvaRing birth control and other combined hormone contraceptives. As blood clots form, a person with DVT may or may not experience any symptoms. The area may feel warm, painful or weak. One leg may look larger and paler than the other.

If this condition is not treated, blood clots may travel up through the bloodstream to the brain, blocking blood vessels in the brain, causing a stroke. Likewise, blood clots can travel into the lungs, blocking blood vessels there, causing a pulmonary embolism.

Doctors will treat deep vein thrombosis using blood thinners to keep the clots from growing and to prevent them from moving up through the body. Clots will usually dissolve on their own. If necessary, however, doctors may use a catheter to remove the clot, or insert a filter in a vein in the abdomen to keep the clot from getting into the heart or lungs. In extreme cases, doctors may use clot-dissolving agent, but there is a risk of causing excessive bleeding.

Most cases of deep vein thrombosis can be treated effectively, but once you’ve had deep vein thrombosis, you have a higher risk of it reoccurring. In addition, research shows that patients who have been treated for DVT successfully may continue to have long-term problems. In one study, 17-50% of patients who had been treated for DVT still had chronic problems within two years of treatment, including leg swelling and pain, inadequate blood flow through the veins, skin ulcers and hardening of an area of the skin.

Given the long-term effects of DVT, taking steps to prevent DVT from developing in the first place is the first line of defense.

Certain risk factors may not be controllable: people who have heart conditions, obesity or high blood pressure are at a higher risk of developing DVT. Still, maintaining good health and stabilizing these conditions can help. Other lifestyle changes can also be beneficial.

If you are a woman using NuvaRing contraceptive and have deep vein thrombosis, talk with your doctor about treatment options. Then contact us if you have questions regarding any Nuvaring side effects involving blood clots you may have experienced as a result of using this contraceptive. We are currently representing women throughout the United States who have developed a clot while using the birth control ring on a contingency basis, and there are no legal fees unless we win compensation on your case. We offer a free no-obligation consultation regarding your legal options including filing a Nuvaring lawsuit.

The defibrillator is a device that is inserted into the chest and helps regulate the heartbeat. Wires that connect the device to the heart are called leads, and one particular set of leads, under the name of Sprint Fidelis, are more likely to fracture or break. As a result, a person with a fractured lead may receive electric jolts intended to regulate the heart when not needed. Conversely, the device may fail to deliver jolts when needed.

Although Medtronic has notified over 150,000 people in the U.S. who have received this device, this Medtronic lead recall is a difficult one. Often when a product is recalled, such as a food, consumer product or a medicine, the user can simply stop taking it or use an alternate brand. Or, say in the case of an automobile recall, the manufacturer can repair the problem and return the car to the owner.

It’s not so simple in the case of Medtronic. Because the device is implanted, it becomes more difficult and dangerous to operate to replace the leads. Tissue in the body often covers the leads, making them difficult to extract. In some cases, it may be riskier to replace the leads than to leave functioning ones in place. Of the 13 deaths associated with Sprint Fidelis leads, at least four were the result of lead extraction.

So what should a person with a Sprint Fidelis lead do? First, consult with your doctor. He or she can advise you, based on your individual health and heart condition, on your best course of action. If you decide to have the leads extracted, it is important to find a doctor who is experienced in this type of surgery.

If you choose to allow the Sprint Fidelis leads to remain in place, you should know the warning signs of possible fracture. If the device detects an irregular heartbeat, it is designed to give the heart an electric jolt. If your device begins to deliver frequent jolts, see your doctor. Your doctor can run a report from the device to determine if there was an irregular heartbeat at the time of the shock. If so, the device was working appropriately. If not, you may have a malfunction in the device or the lead.

On the other hand, if you are experiencing physical symptoms such as weakness, dizziness, fatigue, or irregular heartbeat and you have NOT been receiving an electric jolt, you should see your doctor to ensure that your ICD is working properly and that there are no other health problems.

Either decision you make will be a difficult one. And although we cannot make that decision for you, we offer free consulting for patients who are navigating this dilemma. We represent all Medtronic lead fracture clients on a contingency basis, which means there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free-no-obligation consultation, please call toll free or e-mail us to talk with a Medtronic recall lawyer.

The defibrillator, which is designed to regulate an irregular heartbeat caused by conditions such as ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation, monitors the heart beat and delivers a jolt of electricity if it detects an abnormal rhythm or rate. When the lead breaks, however, the defibrillator can deliver a jolt even when the heartbeat is normal. It can also fail to deliver a jolt when the heartbeat is abnormal.

Nearly a quarter million people in the U.S. currently have defibrillators with Sprint Fidelis leads. While Medtronic says that only 3-6% of the leads malfunction, other studies indicate that a much higher percentage will malfunction in the next four years.

While it is possible to replace the leads, the lead removal procedure is complicated and potentially risky. Tissue sometimes covers the leads making them difficult to extract. Doctors agree that it may be safer to leave functioning leads in place.

Still, for patients who have a Medtronic lead fracture, replacement is usually recommended, unless the patient is extremely fragile, and the surgery and recovery would take away a significant amount of the patient’s expected lifespan.

If you and your doctor do want to have your leads removed, it is essential to find experienced surgeons to handle the procedure. Of the 13 people who died as a result of the Sprint Fidelis leads, four deaths are a consequence of lead extraction.

The Heart Rhythm Society, an organization of arrhythmia experts, says that there are currently too few doctors with the experience necessary to do the lead extraction procedure. This is will no doubt become of greater concern if there is indeed an increase in malfunction of the leads.

For now, the Heart Rhythm Society says, patients seeking extractions should look for medical centers that have trained doctors to complete many successful extractions. Doctors should perform at least 40 extractions under supervision before doing the surgery independently. A supervising doctor should complete 75 extractions with a high rate of success.

The Heart Rhythm Society also recommends that a national database be established that would have success and failure rates of hospitals conducting this surgery, as a way of helping physicians establish better protocol for success.

In the meantime, patients can ask their medical center its success and failure rate.

If you have a Sprint Fidelis lead, please contact us. We represent all Medtronic fracture clients on a contingency basis, which means that there are never any legal fees unless we win compensation in your case. For a free no-obligation consultation please call toll free or fill out our short online contact form and a Medtronic recall attorney will contact you to answer any of your questions regarding the ongoing litigation and filing deadlines for a Medtronic lawsuit.

A stroke occurs when a there is a blockage, such as a blood clot, in the blood vessels in the brain. When the blood is unable to deliver blood (which contains oxygen and nutrients to the brain) the cells there begin to die. The severity of the stroke is determined by the location and size of the blockage.

Although it’s impossible to predict who will have a stroke, there are some known risk factors. Some are uncontrollable, such as age, family history, gender or history of previous strokes. Some are controllable through lifestyle changes, such as weight, controlling blood pressure and diabetes. Certain medications, such as contraceptives, like NuvaRing birth control ring, which combine estrogen and progestin, may raise the risk for a stroke for some women.

Strokes occur more frequently in men, but are more likely to be fatal when they occur in a woman. Stroke symptoms often are felt suddenly. Sudden weaknesses on one side of the body, blurred vision, or sudden slurred speech are signs of a stroke.

The American Stroke Association provides the following tool to help determine if someone is having a stroke:

Act F.A.S.T.

Face—ask the person to smile. Check to see if one side of the face droops.

Arms- have the person raise both arms and see if one drifts down.

Speech- have the person say or repeat a short sentence, and see if the words are slurred or are repeated incorrectly.

Time- if any of these symptoms are present, it is essential to call 911 or go to the hospital immediately. Within the first few hours of exhibiting stroke symptoms, doctors can administer medicines that can break up a blood clot, reducing damage to the brain.

Strokes in women do not always get diagnosed as quickly as strokes in men, possibly because strokes are still thought of as a man’s disease. In addition, women may have some different symptoms than men, so doctors may not immediately think that the cause of the illness is a stroke. In addition to the classic symptoms, women may also have severe headaches, chest pain, breathlessness, hiccups, nausea, or face and limb pain.

If you have suffered a stroke or suffered from Nuvaring problems involving blood clots after using the birth control ring, contact us regarding your medical and legal options including information on filing a Nuvaring lawsuit. Our Nuvaring lawyers are already representing women throughout the United States in bringing claims for outstanding medical bills, lost wages and compensation for their injuries.

A hernia is an area of the body where a weakness in the wall allows an organ to bulge into or through that wall. While a hernia can develop in many parts of the body, it is most likely to develop in the abdominal area.

When an area of muscle or tissue in the abdomen wall is weak, a straining motion can create a hernia. Hernias can occur suddenly, or they can develop over time. Strong coughing, lifting heavy weights, or straining for a bowel movement can create enough pressure that an organ like the intestine can push through a weakened area of the abdominal wall. Other conditions like obesity or pregnancy can also create pressure on a weak area, making a hernia more likely.

Some hernias may not create any discomfort and may be unnoticeable. But when the hernia creates pain or noticeable lumps, they need to be seen by a doctor. The protrusion created by the hernia can sometimes be reduced, or pushed back into place. When it cannot be reduced, the intestine is caught in the wall opening, a situation known as an incarcerated hernia, which can create a bowel obstruction. Left untreated, the blood supply to the intestine can decrease, leading to serious conditions like gangrene.

Hernias are usually treated with surgery. Doctors reposition any protrusion and then insert a hernia mesh patch to strengthen the thin or weak abdomen wall area. In recent years, doctors have used the Kugel mesh patch, however this device has been recalled because of dangerous complications that can occur.

The Kugel hernia mesh patch is a device that has two mesh pads connected by an oval plastic ring. When the patch is placed on the wall area, the ring acts as a spring, keeping the device in place. Unfortunately, over 80 patients have had complications when the plastic ring broke. These Kugel mesh complications include bowel perforations and fistulas. Some patients even died as a result of these complications.

If you have had a hernia repair using a hernia patch, you may be at risk for complications. If you do not know whether or not you have a Kugel patch, we can assist you in determining if this device affects you. Doctors and the Kugel manufacturer suggest that patients who are symptom-free allow the patch to remain in place. Please contact us for a free case review and information regarding your legal options including filing a hernia mesh lawsuit.

For people who have been diagnosed and treated for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), it is important to be aware of continued complications that may occur from this condition. Women throughout the country have reported DVT Nuvaring side effects while using the birth control ring. If you or a loved one has suffered from side effects of Nuvaring please contact us for a free no-obligation consultation regarding your legal options including filing a Nuvaring lawsuit.

Deep vein thrombosis is a blood clot that develops in the deep veins of the body, usually in the upper or lower leg. When blood pools or moves slowly, platelets, which normally help staunch the flow of blood, form when they shouldn’t and create a clot in the vein. This clot can detach from the wall of the vein and travel upward through the body. If the clot reaches the brain, it can block the flow of blood leading to the brain, causing a stroke. If the clot reaches the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism.

When a person is diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis, doctors know that clots typically dissolve on their own over time. The main goal, then, is to keep the clots from getting larger and from moving upward, causing a blockage. Doctors may advise patients to wear compression stockings in an effort to keep blood from pooling in the legs. They may prescribe certain medicines, commonly called blood thinners, to dissolve the clots. However, these blood thinners can also increase the risk of hemorrhaging. Some women who have suffered blood clot Nuvaring side effects have to use blood thinners for the rest of their life.

Other options include the insertion of a filter in a vein in the abdomen to keep clots from moving upwards. In rare cases, doctors may operate to remove the clot.

Once the clot or clots have dissolved, a person with deep vein thrombosis may continue to have complications. One study showed that 50% of patients with deep vein thrombosis have post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) afterwards, with symptoms including pain, skin changes, heaviness and swelling.

What’s more, those who have had deep vein thrombosis have a higher risk of it reoccurring, with 25% of DVT patients having future clots. The risk of having DVT again is greatest in the first six to twelve months after the first episode.

Although DVT can occur in people who are sick or immobile, it can also occur in otherwise healthy people. Women who use the NuvaRing contraceptive have a higher risk of developing deep vein thrombosis. The NuvaRing is a birth control device that uses a combination of hormones. Some researchers believe that one of the hormones, desogestrel, affects the blood, making it more likely for clots to form.

If you have used the birth control ring and have experienced deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke or any other Nuvaring side effects related to blood clots, please contact us to discuss your legal options. There is never any cost for an attorney to review your case and we are currently representing women throughout the United States in filing a Nuvaring lawsuit.