Product News and Recalls

Man recovers from enormous blood clot

Fox News gives an account of a man who survived a two-and-a-half-foot blood clot stretching from his knee to his abdomen.

The report says that Gerald Cunha, 59, had swelling in his legs and pain that he attributed to sciatica. But doctors found he was suffering from deep vein thrombosis, which occurs when a clot forms in one of the body’s deep veins. According to the report, Cunha had “many classic risk factors for DVT; he was overweight, lead a sedentary lifestyle and was a smoker.”

The Mayo Clinic also lists recent surgery, a family history of blood clots, pregnancy and use of birth control pills as risk factors for developing deep vein thrombosis. While most birth control pills carry a risk of blood clots, a number of studies show that those with the compound drospirenone increase the risk of clots by as much as three times compared to other oral contracpetives.

Pills with drospirenone include Yasmin, Yaz, Beyaz and Ocella.

Cunha didn’t respond well to blood thinners, which is the standard treatment. So doctors used a catheter that administers the medication directly to the clot.

The report quotes Dr. Warren Swee, an interventional radiologist at South Florida Vascular Associates, as saying: “When people develop a DVT and experience pain and swelling of the knee or leg, they often think they might have a pulled muscle from exercising too much or from wearing the wrong shoes. This misconception prevents people from seeking medical attention immediately, which is key.”

Patients should consult their doctors before making any changes in their medication. A consultation with a Yaz lawyer is also important if there are significant injuries.

See the story here:

https://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/06/18/new-clot-busting-technology-used-to-treat-2-and-half-foot-blood-clot/