Patients' perceptions of having a central venous catheter or a totally implantable subcutaneous port system-results from a randomised study in acute leukaemia.
OBJECTIVE
The selection process of type of central venous access device (CVAD) in patients with acute leukaemia (AL) is generally based on appropriate catheter capacity/function and risk of complications in relation to the planned length of therapy. Advantages and disadvantages of the CVAD from the patient's perspective should also be important parts in the selection of type of device. Perceptions on having a CVAD were thus analysed in a series of adult patients with AL included in a prospective randomised study evaluating the use of a double lumen totally implantable subcutaneous port system (PORT) or a double lumen central venous catheter (CVC) regarding survival time and complication rate.


METHODS
Perceptions were registered in 32 patients (median age 68 years, range 24-83 years) on three occasions (T1; the day after placement, T2; 3 weeks after placement and T3 after 12 weeks and/or when the CVAD was removed) with the use of two study specific questionnaires.


RESULTS
Overall, many patients reported minor catheter related discomfort, feelings of anxiety and restrictions. Half of the patients (6/11) who experienced a local bleeding after CVAD insertion described the placement procedure as unpleasant. More patients in the CVC group compared with the PORT group stated that they thought of having a CVAD (T3; p = 0.02) and that the CVAD interfered when dressing themselves (T2; p = 0.02 and T3; 0.04) or taking a shower (T3; p = 0.009).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the view that the PORT is less restrictive in daily life than the CVC.
Johansson
Eva
E
Department of Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden. eva.mo.johansson@karolinska.se
Engervall
Per
P
Björvell
Hjördis
H
Hast
Robert
R
Björkholm
Magnus
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D055815:Young Adult