title: A Cross-Sectional Study of Patients' Satisfaction With Totally Implanted Access Ports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Totally implanted access ports (PACs) are valuable tools for the treatment of patients with cancer because they ease the administration of chemotherapy, stem cells, and supportive care by reducing the rate of peripheral vein punctures.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction and impairments of activities of daily living of ambulatory patients with PAC systems receiving chemotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study evaluated 202 patients with PAC systems in a comprehensive cancer center and cancer rehabilitation center. From November 2012 to August 2013, patients were invited to answer a questionnaire concerning quality of life and satisfaction with their PAC devices. Data regarding PAC-related complications were collected retrospectively by searching patients' medical history.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 202 patients with 230 PAC devices were included. Median time from PAC implantation to inclusion in the study was nine months. Surgical complications occurred in some cases, with bleeding and hematoma being the most frequently observed events. Late complications consisted of infections, drug extravasation, PAC malposition, PAC malfunction, and thrombosis. A third of the patients reported that their PAC interfered with activities of daily living. However, most agreed that PAC systems alleviated the burden of chemotherapy administration, and the vast majority said they would choose the implantation of a PAC system for chemotherapy administration again.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Minichsdorfer
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Thorsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Füreder
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mähr
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Anna S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Berghoff
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Helga
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heynar
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dressler
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gnant
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zielinski
authors.affiliation: Medical University of Vienna.
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bartsch
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015918:Infusion Pumps, Implantable / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: catheter-associated infection; quality of life; totally implanted access ports