Yaz Side Effects
Women have continued to report Yaz side effects after taking this birth control pill. The hormones in Yasmin, Ocella and Yaz birth control – estrogen and drospirenone – have resulted in several medical problems for women. Many of these problems stem from the formation of abnormal blood clots, which develop in the deep veins of the legs. Pulmonary embolism, hypertension, stroke, and heart attack are among the secondary complications caused by a Yaz deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Yaz side effects involving a DVT may present few symptoms, making the condition difficult to diagnose and treat. Doctors usually start with ultrasonography since this imaging test is noninvasive and accurate. There are times, however, when a contrast venogram is necessary.
When Is Contrast Venography Used?
Occasionally, despite a high suspicion of DVT, results from ultrasound imaging show no evidence of blood clots in the legs. A venogram can be done to validate the findings – and thus, rule out DVT – or reveal evidence missed by ultrasonography.
Another reason doctors use venography is to visualize the interior of the deep veins, including the one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. Such visualization is often needed when deep vein thrombosis has caused inflammation of the valves.
A contrast venogram can also be useful for guiding doctors while they perform minor surgery on the veins. This might the case for catheter-based clot removal techniques used to treat thrombophlebitis and DVT.
How A Contrast Venogram Is Performed
Prior to the test, your doctor will recommend that you drink plenty of fluids to assure hydration. This helps minimize the danger of kidney damage caused by the contrast dye. Then, a site on your leg or foot is chosen for injection. The site is cleaned, a local anesthetic is administered, and a needle is inserted into the targeted vein. The contrast dye may be introduced via catheter, injection, or intravenous line (IV).
The contrast material is radiopaque, and thus provides an image of the venous structure on x-rays. The x-rays will reveal areas in which the opening through the blood vessels is narrowed due to clotting. You might experience a warm sensation as the dye flows through your veins. For most patients, this marks the extent of the discomfort associated with venography.
Once the dye has been introduced, and x-rays have been taken, the catheter or needle is removed, and the entry site is closed and bandaged. The entire procedure can take up to two hours, though it is usually completed within sixty minutes.
Potential Risks Associated With Venography
A venogram rarely results in complications (some estimate the incidence rate at 2%). When side effects present, they are usually related to an allergic reaction to the contrast material.
In some cases, the dye may stimulate the coagulation process of your blood. This poses a danger of new clots forming and existing clots growing larger. There is also a chance the injection of the dye into the targeted vein may knock loose an existing clot. If this occurs, the clot may travel into the inferior vena cava, and onward to your heart and lungs, where it might cause a pulmonary embolism. Both of these circumstances are rare.
Additional Diagnostic Tests For Detecting A DVT
As mentioned earlier, an ultrasound study is usually the first test ordered to diagnose Yaz side effects caused by deep vein thrombosis. While contrast venography was once the gold standard for imaging the veins, duplex ultrasonography has largely replaced it.
Your doctor may also order one or more blood tests. These include studies for certain antibodies and coagulation factors, such as protein S and protein C. A D-dimer test, which looks for the level of D-dimers (i.e. fibrin fragments) in the blood, may also be ordered.
CT scans and MRIs are used occasionally in place of contrast venography when results from ultrasonography are unclear. Such cases are rare, however.
Because deep vein thrombosis can lead to dangerous – even life-threatening – complications, diagnosing the condition is considered a priority. If you have suffered from blood clots, DVT, PE, or other serious Yaz side effects, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Yaz lawsuit attorney to discuss your case.