Port-A-Cath: a study of complication rates.
Venous access can be a difficult problem for patients receiving intravenous medications, such as chemotherapy, over long periods of time. Totally implanted venous access devices, such as the Port-A-Cath TM (Pharmacia Deltec, St. Paul, MN) have been introduced as a solution to the problem of venous access. These devices are marketed as a safe, reliable method of venous access. Between January 1986 and December 1988, one hundred sixty patients had Port-A-Caths implanted at Sioux Valley Hospital. The medical records of these patients were reviewed to determine the type and rates of complications with the Port-A-Cath. Complications included pneumothoracies, extravasation of injected substances, difficulty aspirating blood, occlusion and sepsis. This article describes the results of our study and a review of the literature.
USD School of Medicine, Sioux Valley Hospital.
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Robinson
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Halverson
D000328:Adult; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D004868:Equipment Failure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology