There are several types of material that can obstruct the blood vessels of the lungs, including air bubbles, fatty deposits, and even small tumors. By far, however, the most common cause of a PE is a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the calves or thighs. This is a known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. Such clots can embolize (i.e. break free of the venous wall) and travel to the lungs, causing an obstruction in the pulmonary arteries.

Once a pulmonary embolism has been diagnosed, a treatment plan is created based on the severity of the blockage and any conditions that preclude certain measures. Beyond addressing your immediate symptoms (e.g. low blood oxygen levels), treatment usually begins with anticoagulant drugs.

Preventing Further Clot Development

Anticoagulant medications are given to slow your body’s clotting system. This prevents the obstructing embolus from growing and further clots from forming. The drugs used for this purpose come in two main varieties: heparin, which has an immediate effect, and warfarin, which starts working after a few days.

When treating a PE, doctors try to slow the rate of clotting as quickly as possible. For this reason, both heparin and warfarin are usually given at the same time. Once warfarin begins to show results, heparin is stopped. Also, because use of natural – or unfractionated – heparin requires continuous blood monitoring, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is often used. The outcomes are similar, though LMWH precludes the need for constant monitoring.

When Anticoagulant Medications Are Ineffective

If an obstructing clot is very small, anticoagulant drugs may be the only treatment necessary. Your body’s natural clot-dissolving system can often break up the embolus. There are times, however, when heparin or warfarin are insufficient. They fail to slow your body’s clotting mechanism, and are unable to address larger emboli that may be life-threatening. In such cases, thrombolytic drugs are administered.

Thrombolytics are commonly called clot-busting medications. Drugs such as urokinase, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), and streptokinase dissolve fibrin, the sticky substance that forms the covering of a clot. These medications can be introduced through injection, IV, or directly into the blocked pulmonary artery via catheter. Often, a contrast dye is introduced that allows your doctor to take x-rays of your lungs and monitor the dissolution of the clots.

The main risk associated with thrombolysis is internal hemorrhaging. If your doctor suspects the risk is too great, he or she may recommend removing the obstructing clots through surgery.

Removing Blood Clots From The Lung Arteries

When use of thrombolytic drugs is contraindicated, or the embolus is massive, and thus places your life at risk, a pulmonary embolectomy is done. This is a procedure during which a surgeon will retrieve the emboli from your pulmonary arteries.

In the past, embolectomy was performed through thoracotomy. The chest was opened and the breastbone was split to provide the surgeon access to the affected lung. Today, the procedure is done by guiding a catheter (i.e. a thin tube) to the site of the blockage. An instrument on the tip of the catheter breaks up the clot so the pieces can be withdrawn through the tube’s opening. However, while pulmonary embolectomy may be necessary for the removal of life-threatening blood clots, not every surgeon has the expertise needed to perform the procedure.

Yaz Lawsuit Update 2010
Regardless of whether a pulmonary embolism is mild or severe, it is important to seek immediate medical attention when symptoms present. If you have suffered a deep vein thrombosis, PE, stroke or gallbladder removal after using Ocella, Yasmin or Yaz birth control, you may be able to file a claim for compensation against the manufacturer. Contact a Yaz lawsuit settlements lawyer to discuss your options.

If you or a loved one has suffered from Ocella, Yasmin or Yaz side effects please contact one of our Yaz lawyers for a free consultation.

What Is Pulmonary Hypertension?

At its most basic, PH is defined as an elevated level of pressure within your pulmonary arteries. Blood travels through these arteries from your heart to your lungs. Once blood has been oxygenated by your lungs, it travels back to your heart before being circulated throughout your body. With hypertension, the pulmonary arteries become restricted, though not entirely blocked. Blood can still travel through, but must be pushed by the heart, which requires the organ to work harder than normal. This causes the pressure to rise. In severe cases, you might suffer heart failure.

There are several factors that can contribute to PH, including congenital heart problems, past surgery or medical events (i.e. heart attack), and blood clots. Because Yaz birth control poses a high risk of abnormal clotting, this latter factor is especially relevant.

When clots break away from the venous wall, they can travel to your pulmonary arteries and form a blockage. If an embolus (i.e. migrating blood clot) is large enough, the blockage might completely prevent blood from passing, triggering Yaz pulmonary embolism. However, suppose a clot is relatively small and thus, forms a partial blockage. In this case, blood can still pass, but must be pushed through the restricted opening. While you might not suffer PE, you may still experience pulmonary hypertension.

Pre-Existing Conditions And Yaz Pulmonary Embolism

One of the dangers of PH is that pre-existing diseases may cause the condition and lay the groundwork for an embolus to trigger Yaz pulmonary embolism. For example, a problem with the mitral valve (e.g. stenosis) could cause a pulmonary artery to narrow, thereby restricting the flow of blood. This would raise the pressure within. Even if a small blood clot were to arrive within the restricted artery, it might potentially cause PE.

Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can permanently damage your lung tissue and impair its ability to oxygenate your blood. As a result, the level of oxygen available to your organs declines. A severe lack of oxygen can even damage your other organs.

How Pulmonary Hypertension Is Treated

There are several types of PH and the form of treatment used depends on the type you have. The World Health Organization categorizes hypertension into five distinct groups based on the suspected cause. As noted earlier, the group most relevant for our purposes is that which focuses upon blood clots.

Doctors will usually prescribe blood thinners, such as warfarin and heparin, to lower the likelihood of further clotting. These anticoagulants can prevent additional blood clots from forming while also preventing existing clots from growing larger. Because clots often migrate from the deep veins within the legs, your doctor may also check for DVT.

If DVT exists, a metal filter can be installed in your vena cava (a large vein leading to your heart). The filter will catch emboli as they travel from your lower body to your heart and lungs. By catching them, the vena cava filter can help avert pulmonary embolism.

Hypertension in the pulmonary arteries is rarely life-threatening, but it can potentially lead to heart failure in severe cases. That said, the development of PH is more troubling because it can serve as a precursor to a pulmonary embolism. If you have suffered hypertension, blood clots, pulmonary embolism, or other serious side effects of Yaz, Yasmin or Ocella explore your legal rights. Contact one of our Yaz lawyers to discuss filing a claim.

With PE, the obstruction caused by Ocella blood clots can make your heart work harder as it pumps blood to your lungs through the unblocked pulmonary arteries. This can eventually lead to heart failure. Meanwhile, because the blockage prevents a portion of your lung tissue from receiving blood, you may also suffer lung damage.

Yaz PE is extremely dangerous. It must be diagnosed and treated as quickly as possible to limit damage to your organs and preserve your life. Below, you’ll discover how pulmonary embolism occurs, steps to prevent it, and how doctors will attempt to treat the condition.

What Causes Ocella / Yaz PE?

Yaz and Ocella birth control is known as a combined-hormone oral contraceptive. It contains estrogen and a relatively new synthetic progestin called drospirenone. The latter hormone is known to increase the risk of abnormal clotting.

Blood clots that form within the deep veins (typically in the calves and thighs) define a condition known as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. Most cases of pulmonary embolism are triggered by DVT. Clots can break away from the deep veins and travel with your blood toward your heart. These emboli (i.e. migrating blood clots) can pass through the right side of your heart into the pulmonary arteries. If they lodge within one of the arteries, they can cause Yaz PE.

Steps To Prevention

There are several preventative measures that can help you avoid pulmonary embolism. Because the condition is usually caused by DVT, your doctor will first try to diagnose whether blood clots exist within the deep veins of your legs. If clots are identified, he or she may prescribe anticoagulant drugs to prevent the clots from growing larger. These drugs can also be used if you have a predisposition toward clotting.

If clots are present and there is a possibility they will detach from their site, your doctor may recommend the placement of a vena cava filter. Your vena cava is the largest vein in your body. It is the route taken by oxygen-poor blood on its way back to your heart. It is also the route taken by emboli.

A surgeon can place a metal filter in your vena cava. The filter functions as a net that catches migrating clots before they can reach your heart and lungs.

If your doctor does not find clots within your legs, but suspects there is a chance they will form, he or she may suggest wearing compression stockings. These are worn around your legs below the knee. They apply pressure on the deep veins that encourages blood flow so your blood does not pool and clot.

Treating Yaz Pulmonary Embolism

Initial treatment for Yaz pulmonary embolism is focused upon addressing the symptoms. Doctors will administer oxygen and fluids to regulate your blood-oxygen levels and blood pressure, respectively.

Once the immediate symptoms have been brought under control, anticoagulants are administered to prevent further clotting. If these drugs fail to have an effect, or they are poorly tolerated by your body, your doctor may decide to use thrombolytic medications. Thrombolytics can dissolve blood clots. However, they pose of risk of bleeding and hence, are typically used only in dire circumstances.

If anticoagulants and thrombolytics are unable to resolve a life-threatening blockage, surgery may be required to remove the offending clots.

Yaz pulmonary embolism begins with blood clots in the deep veins. Given that the progestin drospirenone increases the risk of clotting, taking this oral contraceptive can leave you vulnerable to suffering PE. If you have already developed blood clots, DVT, or pulmonary embolism after using Ocella, Yasmin or Yaz birth control pills, you may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an Ocella lawsuit attorney to understand your rights and discuss your options.

One of the most serious Yaz and Yasmin side effects involves a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism). Yaz and pulmonary embolism (PE) share a connection based on the hormones used. The link is due to a marked increase in the risk of blood clots when taking the oral contraceptive. In nearly 90% of diagnosed cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot that forms in a deep vein of the leg. The clot breaks away from its site and travels to a pulmonary artery, creating a blockage. Because these arteries supply blood to your lungs, a blockage will starve a portion of your lung tissue. If this happens, the tissue supplied by the blocked artery will begin to die.

Your lungs play a key role in removing carbon dioxide from your blood and replacing it with oxygen. If your lung tissue sustains permanent damage as the result of a Yaz lung blood clot, it will be less capable of oxygenating your blood. That can potentially lead to damage of your other organs if they cannot receive an adequate supply of oxygen.

Pulmonary embolism is one of the dangerous side effects of Yasmin and Yaz birth control pills. Below, you’ll learn about common symptoms that accompany Yaz PE and how the condition is treated.

Common Symptoms Of Yaz PE

The most common symptoms of pulmonary embolism are chest pain and a shortness of breath. Chest pain can either be sharp and quick, or dull and throbbing. It will usually present when you are active, and worsen as you attempt to take deep breaths. Once it begins, it rarely subsides. By contrast, you might experience a shortness of breath even if you are rest. It will worsen with physical activity.

Other symptoms of Yaz pulmonary embolism include an accelerated heartbeat, arrhythmia, dizziness, fainting, and confusion. With regard to fainting and confusion, they are due to your brain not receiving a sufficient supply of oxygen. As pulmonary embolism develops, you may even lose certain mental functions.

The earlier you can identify symptoms of pulmonary embolism and receive medical attention, the less likely your lungs will sustain permanent damage. Once the tissue begins to die, pulmonary infarction begins. You might experience coughing which produces bloody sputum.

Because Yaz PE is potentially life-threatening, seek treatment immediately if you identify any of the above symptoms.

Anticoagulants And Other Forms Of Treatment

Anticoagulants, such as heparin and warfarin (also known as Coumadin), are the first line of treatment for pulmonary embolism. The immediate goal is to prevent existing blood clots from growing, and new clots from forming. Your doctor may administer both blood thinners simultaneously, though heparin is usually stopped once warfarin has begun taking effect.

If heparin or warfarin cannot prevent your blood from clotting, or your body cannot tolerate them, your doctor may use thrombolytic medications. These drugs are capable of dissolving existing clots and can clear away arterial blockages. However, because thrombolytics pose a high risk of bleeding, they are only used in dire situations.

If blood thinners and thrombolytics cannot be used, a surgeon may perform suction thrombectomy or pulmonary embolectomy. There are risks involved with each procedure and doctors will reserve both for circumstances in which your life is at risk.

Your doctor may also recommend a vena cava filter. This is a metal net that is placed within a large vein called the vena cava. It is used to catch traveling blood clots that have broken away from deep veins within your legs. The filter is a preventative measure that can help avert future incidences of PE.

Blood clots in the lung are potentially life-threatening and can cause permanent damage to your lung tissue. If you have suffered clots within a deep vein or developed pulmonary embolism after taking Yaz oral contraceptives, you may be entitled to file a claim against the manufacturer. Contact an experienced Yaz attorney to discuss your legal rights.

Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms

Pulmonary embolism symptoms can vary greatly, depending on how much of your lung is involved, the size of the clot, the number of blood clots and your general overall health. Common symptoms include:

1. Sudden shortness of breath, active or at rest. This is the most common symptom.

2. Chest pain that often mimics a heart attack. The pain can occur anywhere in your chest and may radiate to your shoulder, arm, neck or jaw. It may be sharp and stabbing or aching and dull and may become worse when you breathe deeply, cough, eat, bend or stoop. The pain will get worse with exertion but will not go away when you rest.

3. A cough that that brings up pink, foamy mucus.

4. Rapid heartbeat.

Other signs and symptoms that can occur include: wheezing, leg swelling, clammy or bluish-colored skin, excessive sweating, anxiety, weak pulse, lightheadedness or fainting, or fever.

PE Causes

In most cases, pulmonary embolism is caused by a blood clot in the leg that breaks loose and travels to the lungs. A blood clot in a vein close to the skin is not likely to cause problems, but having deep vein thrombosis can lead to pulmonary embolism, called venous thromboembolism (having both pulmonary embolism and DVT). Other, rarer conditions, can block an artery, such as tumors, air bubbles, amniotic fluid, or fat that is released into the blood vessels when a bone is broken.

Diagnosis

Pulmonary embolism can be hard to diagnose because the symptoms are like those of many other problems, such as a heart attack, panic attack or pneumonia. For that reason, your doctor will start by doing a physical exam, ask questions about your health and perform one or more tests to help find the cause of your symptoms.

These tests may include the following:

1. Chest x-ray. This diagnosic test does not diagnose pulmonary embolism, but it may help rule out conditions that are similar.

2. Lung Scan. A ventilation-perfusion scan (V/Q scan) uses small amounts of radioactive tracers to study airflow and blow flow in your lungs. A normal lung scan may rule out pulmonary embolism but not DVT so other tests are often required.

3. Spiral computerized tomography (CT) scan. A spiral or helical CT is quickly becoming the primary initial test for diagnosing suspected pulmonary embolism. Using a dye to help visualize the area, the scan rotates continuously around your body, following a spiral path to create 3-D images. It can detect abnormalities with a greater degree of precision and is faster than traditional CTs.

4. Pulmonary angiogram. This test provides a clear picture of the blood flow in the arteries of your lungs. It is the most accurate way to diagnose pulmonary embolism, but because it requires a high degree of skill to administer and carries potentially serious risks, it is usually performed when other tests fail to provide a definitive diagnosis.

5. Tests for Blood Clots. In addition to tests that check for PE, you may also have tests that aid in diagnosing blood clots in your veins, such as: D-dimer blood test, ultrasound, venography, MRI, and blood tests that look for inherited defects in your clotting system. Women using Yasmin birth control need to be aware of blood clot symptoms and seek medical attention if they are exhibiting any signs of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.

We represent all women suffering from Yasmin birth control side effects 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 case review please call toll free at 1-888-343-5375 or fill out our short online contact form and a Yasmin lawyer will contact you to answer any of your questions.