title: Polyurethane versus silicone catheters for central venous port devices implanted at the forearm.
abstract: We aimed to analyse short and long-term complications of polyurethane (PU) versus silicone catheters used in totally implantable venous-access ports (TIVAPs) implanted at the forearm.
  
  
  
  Retrospective analysis of 698 consecutively implanted TIVAPs was performed. Primary end-points were defined as rates of major complications associated with either type of central venous port catheter. Technical success rate, device service interval as well as minor complications not requiring port explantation were defined as secondary end-points.
  
  
  
  A total of 698 port devices were implanted in 681 patients, 396 equipped with a PU catheter, 302 with a silicone catheter. The technical success rate was 99.9% with no major periprocedural complications. During follow-up a total of 211 complications in 146 patients were observed (1.0/1000 catheter days), 183 occurred associated with PU catheters (1.8/100 catheter days), 28 (0.3/1000 catheter days) with silicone catheters (log rank test p < 0.0001). Catheter-related bloodstream infections as well as thrombotic complications occurred significantly more frequently with PU catheters, while silicone catheters exhibited a trend towards a higher rate of mechanical failure such as disconnection or catheter rupture. Major complications requiring explantation of the device occurred more frequently with PU-based catheters (10.6%) compared to silicone catheter carrying ports (4.6%, log rank test p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  PU catheters are more susceptible to catheter-related infections and exhibit a higher thrombogenicity, compared to silicone catheters. Silicone catheters instead exhibit a trend towards decreased mechanical stability.
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany; Department of Clinical Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Münster, D 48149 Münster, Germany. Electronic address: moritz.wildgruber@tum.de.
authors.forename: Moritz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wildgruber
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lueg
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany; Department of Trauma Surgery, Krankenhaus Ludmillenstift, D 49761 Meppen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Borgmeyer
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Ilham
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karimov
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, D 12205 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Marion
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiechle
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, D 89081 Ulm, Germany.
authors.forename: Reinhard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Radiology, Universitätsklinikum Münster, D 48149 Münster, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koehler
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ettl
authors.affiliation: Division of Interventional Radiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, D-81675 Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Hermann
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004866:Equipment Contamination; D004867:Equipment Design; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm / Q000098:blood supply; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011140:Polyurethanes; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018805:Sepsis / Q000209:etiology; D012828:Silicones; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D062666:Vascular Access Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D011140:Polyurethanes; D012828:Silicones
keywords: Central venous access port; Chemotherapy; Complication; Infection; Thrombosis