Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating Complications and Complication-Related Removal of Arm-Situated Power-Injectable and Non-Power-Injectable Totally Implanted Venous Access Devices among Cancer Patients.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the hypothesis that power-injectable (PI) totally implanted venous access devices (TIVADs) situated in the arm are associated with more frequent complications and complication-related removal than non-power-injectable (NPI) arm TIVADs among adult cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-center trial, 211 adult chemotherapy patients were randomized to receive either a PI or a NPI arm TIVAD. Follow-up involved a standardized telephone interview 1 week after insertion, followed by a chest X-ray, arm X-ray, and Doppler ultrasound at 3 months and 12 months. Online complication reporting was also provided by patients and care providers for a minimum of 1 year. The primary end point was removal for port-related complications; the secondary end point was the occurrence of any port-related complication. RESULTS: Forty-two complications occurred (19.9% of patients), precipitating the removal of 6 PI ports and 7 standard ports. Time-to-removal did not differ between TIVAD types (hazard ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.25-2.24; P = .61). Complications were related to thrombosis, infection, or mechanical issues, with no statistical difference between groups for overall occurrence (23.1% vs 17.0%, odds ratio 1.47, 95% CI 0.74-2.92; P = .27); however, by type of complication, thrombosis occurred more frequently among PI TIVAD patients (15.2% vs 6.1%, odds ratio 2.79, 95% CI 1.04-7.44; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in port-related complication occurrence or complication-related removal when using the arm PI port compared with the NPI port among cancer patients.

Catheter fracture and embolization associated with arm implantation of the cook vital port.

PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of arm port catheter fracture and embolization related to the Cook Vital Port Mini Titanium. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective audit of our Cerner Radiology Information System was performed between June 1, 2006, and June 30, 2011, to determine the number of Cook arm venous ports implanted and the frequency of foreign body retrievals related to catheter fracture for these arm ports. RESULTS: A total of 691 arm implantations of the Cook Vital Port during the 5-year time frame were analysed. Eleven of these patients (1.6%) required intravenous foreign body retrieval in the interventional radiology suite related to catheter fracture and embolization. Three of these fractured catheters were retrieved from the peripheral venous system upstream of the pulmonary circulation, whereas 8 embolized to the pulmonary arteries. All were successfully extracted with an intravenous snare by interventional radiology. CONCLUSION: We discovered a 1.6% frequency of catheter fracture and embolization associated with arm implantation of the Cook Vital Port. All the catheters fractured at the vein entry site and did not detach from the port housing. The cause for catheter fracture and embolization is uncertain. Pulmonary embolization of the fractured catheters puts the patients at risk for possible further complications. No patients had ancillary complications related to catheter embolization or to catheter extraction procedures. Further investigation is required in an attempt to determine the circumstances that may result in catheter fracture and embolization related to this venous access device.