title: Cytotoxic therapy. Role of durable venous access.
abstract: Aggressive chemotherapy regimens and supportive measures in haemato-oncology patients demand reliable venous access. Experience with this method in India has been limited. During a period of six months, we have used 42 subclavian indwelling catheters and 31 cubital Cavafix long lines. The mean age of patients in the two groups was 32 years and 7 years respectively. Subclavian catheters had a median duration of catheter placement of 46 days (range 4-145) and total 1494 catheter days, while cubital longlines yielded a median duration of insertion of 14 days (range 4-27) and total 508 catheter days. Catheter related complications were infection in 25% of patients, thrombophlebitis in 22%, blockade in 12% and misplacement in 17% in both groups taken together. The patients and families were extremely satisfied with the devices. Our experience supports further use of durable venous access in cancer patients. Implanted central venous catheters should be preferred whenever feasible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Tata Memorial Hospital, Bombay.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Charak
authors.forename: N K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Giri
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Banavali
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Pai
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Nadkarni
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Kurkure
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Saikia
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gopal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D013350:Subclavian Vein
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents