Nuvaring Lawsuit 2011
Blood clots can develop in the deep veins as the result of the hormones released by the contraceptive ring. If you have suffered from blood clots please contact us for the latest Nuvaring lawsuit 2011 news and filing deadlines. The biggest danger is that the clots will embolize, and travel to the lungs. Lodged within one of the arteries that supply blood to the lung tissue, they may cause a pulmonary embolism. These clots (or thrombi) may also migrate into the carotid arteries. This will trigger a stroke, which can cause a host of physical and mental impairments.
Once the carotid arteries become obstructed, brain cells begin to die almost immediately. The extent of the brain injury depends on the severity of the blockage, and the time that passes before blood flow is restored. The larger the occlusion, and the longer blood flow is restricted, the more pronounced and longer-lasting the side effects. For this reason, Nuvaring side effects involving a stroke is considered a medical emergency that warrants immediate – and on occasion, invasive – treatment. We’ll describe the most common measures taken below.
Intravenous Tissue Plasminogen Activator (tPA)
Tissue plasminogen activator is a clot-busting medication that is usually delivered via intravenous (IV) line. It activates plasminogen, and converts it into plasmin, an enzyme that breaks down fibrin. Fibrin is a clotting protein. It forms a protective net of sticky material over a platelet plug, thereby providing structural support for a clot. When plasmin degrades the fibrin net, the clot deteriorates.
Even though a stroke requires rapid treatment, doctors will usually perform a computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain prior to administering tPA. The goal is to ensure there is no bleeding since this drug poses a high risk of hemorrhage. A cerebral hemorrhage can be fatal. Because of the risk, doctors prefer to administer tPA within three hours of the first symptoms. After that point, reversal of the brain injury becomes less likely. Doctor must weigh the benefits of using tPA with the danger of hemorrhage.
Catheter-Delivered tPA
In some cases, physicians will use a catheter to administer tPA directly into the blocked carotid artery. This approach is usually reserved for circumstances when the arterial blockage is severe, and its location has been identified. The catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the leg, and advanced upward through the heart and into the affected artery. Once it arrives, the clot-busting medication is released.
This approach is faster than delivering tissue plasminogen activator via IV, and thus is often given several hours following the first symptoms. But the drug still poses the same risk of hemorrhage.
“Blood-Thinning” Drugs
For many reasons, doctors might conclude the risk of using tPA is too great. This may be due to an existing bleeding disorder, the patient having undergone recent surgery, or many other circumstances. As an alternative approach, antiplatelet medications and anticoagulation therapy is used. While they are commonly referred to as “blood-thinning” drugs, they do not actually thin the blood. Instead, they interact with your body’s natural clotting system to slow the rate of coagulation. This prevents existing thrombi from growing larger, and new thrombi from developing.
Like tissue plasminogen activator, antiplatelet medications and anticoagulants pose a risk of bleeding. But the risk is lower than with tPA.
Surgical Removal Of Obstructing Clots
For arterial obstructions that are particularly severe (i.e. over 75 percent of the blood vessel is blocked), surgery may be performed. The procedure is called a carotid endarterectomy. It is typically done in cases where tPA and “blood-thinning” drugs are either contraindicated, or are believed to be inadequate given the dire circumstances.
A surgeon will make an incision into the neck, and a second incision directly into the blocked artery. The obstructing clots are removed, restoring blood flow, and the incisions are closed. The danger with this procedure is that the surgeon will inadvertently knock loose other thrombi, sending them downstream within the artery where they may cause a subsequent stroke.
Medical attention for a stroke should be sought immediately following its first signs. Brain injury occurs rapidly, and much of the damage may become permanent. If you have suffered from blood clots, stroke, or other serious Nuvaring side effects, you may be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact an experienced Nuvaring lawsuit settlements attorney to discuss your options.