Yaz PE (pulmonary embolism) is a condition that develops as the result of a blood clot. In 90% of cases, the clot originates within a deep vein of the patient’s leg. It breaks loose and travels with the bloodstream, eventually making its way into a pulmonary artery. There, it creates an obstruction that prevents blood from traveling through the artery.
Pulmonary arteries feed deoxygenated blood to your lungs. The blood is enriched with oxygen by the lung tissue before it is distributed throughout your body to other organs. If a traveling blood clot lodges within a pulmonary artery, it can prevent blood from reaching your lung tissue. This is called pulmonary embolism. The portion of your lung that depends upon the blocked artery will sustain permanent damage. If multiple arteries become blocked, your other organs may be unable to receive oxygen-rich blood. They too, can suffer damage.
Why Yaz Can Increase The Risk Of Pulmonary Embolism
The risk of blood clots is nothing new to women who are taking oral contraceptives. Most birth control pills that are currently sold in the U.S. contain estrogen, a hormone that encourages coagulation. Yasmin and Yaz birth control increases the risk of clotting due to a synthetic progestin called drospirenone. Researchers have discovered that combining drospirenone with estrogen presents a 6.3-fold rise in the risk of clotting when compared to non-use.
Women who are taking this contraceptive are more likely to develop blood clots in a deep vein within their legs (referred to as deep vein thrombosis, or DVT). As a result, they are more likely to experience Yaz pulmonary embolism.
How The Condition Is Diagnosed
Doctors have a number of options they can use to test for pulmonary embolism. Because the condition is difficult to identify, your doctor may need to perform more than one type of test.
The first step is to eliminate any non-PE circumstances that may be triggering your symptoms (i.e. chest pain, shortness of breath, bloody cough, or an arrhythmia). This is done by taking X-rays of your chest. The X-rays cannot diagnose Yasmin pulmonary embolism, but can help your doctor rule out other ailments.
A lung scan can be performed to study the flow of air and blood within your lungs. First, you’ll be asked to inhale a radiopharmaceutical. Then, radioisotopes are injected into your arm. A camera is used to track the tracers as they travel through your airflow and bloodstream. This test, called a ventilation-perfusion scan (or, V/Q scan), has limitations; it cannot diagnose the presence of deep vein thrombosis. This limitation is the reason lung scans are slowly being replaced by spiral computerized tomography scans.
A spiral computerized tomography (or, spiral CT) scan has become the first test many doctors use to diagnose Yaz and pulmonary embolism. A special dye is injected and tracked as it travels through your bloodstream. A spiral scanner creates a three-dimensional image of your lungs and other organs by rotating around your body. A spiral CT is more accurate and far quicker than a traditional CT. Efficiency is important because the dye must be tracked while it is within your pulmonary arteries.
If your doctor is unable to diagnose Yaz PE and has ruled out other conditions, he or she may perform a pulmonary angiogram. It is the most accurate test currently available. Unfortunately, it requires specialized skill to perform and carries serious risks (most notably, arrhythmia and kidney damage).
Should You File A Yaz Lawsuit?
As noted, the inherent risk of blood clots associated with birth control pills is well-known and accepted. However, studies have shown the risk is far greater when taking Yaz. Many women have filed Yaz lawsuits which claim the manufacturer (Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals) failed to sufficiently warn them of the increased risk. If you have taken this oral contraceptive and developed blood clots, DVT, or pulmonary embolism, contact a Yaz attorney to explore your legal options.
