Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
05:23

Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload

Published on: March 14, 2017

Portacaths are safe for long-term regular blood transfusion in children with sickle cell anaemia

Jack L Bartram1, Sandra O'Driscoll, Austin G Kulasekararaj

  • 1Department of Paediatric Haematology, King's College London School of Medicine, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London SE5 9RS, UK. jacklbartram@hotmail.com

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|July 8, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Totally implantable venous access devices, Portacaths (PAC), offer a safe and reliable solution for children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) needing frequent blood transfusions. This study found low complication rates, making PACs a viable option when peripheral venous access is challenging.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology
  • Vascular Access Devices
  • Sickle Cell Disease Management

Background:

  • Peripheral venous access is challenging in children with sickle cell anaemia (SCA) requiring frequent blood transfusions.
  • Previous use of Portacaths (PAC) in this population was associated with high complication rates.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the safety and efficacy of totally implantable venous access devices (Portacaths) in children with SCA.
  • To assess complication rates, including infection and thrombosis, associated with PAC use in this specific patient group.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective review of seven children with SCA who received PAC insertion over a 9-year period.
  • Data collected included PAC days, age at insertion, duration of device use, and complication events (infection, thrombosis).

Main Results:

  • Seven PAC devices were used for a total of 9754 PAC days.
  • The median age at insertion was 6.3 years.
  • The PAC-associated infection rate was low at 0.2 per 1000 PAC days, with no episodes of thrombosis.

Conclusions:

  • Totally implantable venous access devices (Portacaths) can be used safely and reliably in children with SCA.
  • PACs provide a crucial solution for managing difficult venous access in pediatric patients undergoing regular blood transfusions for sickle cell anaemia.

More Related Videos

Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols11:31

Antigens Protected Functional Red Blood Cells By The Membrane Grafting Of Compact Hyperbranched Polyglycerols

Published on: January 2, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants01:22

Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants

Bone marrow transplant is a potential cure for several diseases, including cancer and specific genetic disorders. Notably, this procedure is applicable for patients suffering from aplastic anemia, certain types of leukemia, severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID), Hodgkin's disease, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, multiple myeloma, thalassemia, sickle-cell disease, and certain cancers.
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy the...
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy01:30

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy, also known as CRRT, is a procedural treatment for acute kidney injury (AKI) that gradually removes uremic toxins and fluids while maintaining acid-base balance and stabilizing electrolytes. It is particularly useful for hemodynamically unstable patients. Unlike intermittent hemodialysis, which is faster, CRRT provides a gentler approach over 24 hours, closely mimicking the function of natural kidneys. However, CRRT is not ideal for patients with...
Blood Transfusion and Agglutination02:45

Blood Transfusion and Agglutination

Blood transfusion is a therapeutic measure to restore the blood volume after extensive blood loss due to an accident or a medical procedure. Blood transfusion involves drawing a certain amount of blood from a suitable donor and infusing it into the recipient.
History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...
Blood Transfusion01:15

Blood Transfusion

Blood transfusion is a critical medical procedure that saves lives and treats various medical conditions. It involves transferring blood from a donor to a recipient. This process requires a thorough understanding of the ABO blood group system and its associated antigens and antibodies.
Blood Transfusion Overview
A blood transfusion is a medical procedure used to replace blood lost due to injury, surgery, or to treat conditions such as anemia or cancer. During a transfusion, donor blood is...
Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition01:27

Parentral Nutrition: Centeral and Peripheral Parental Nutrition

Parenteral Nutrition (PN) delivers essential nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It is commonly used for individuals with severe digestive disorders or conditions that prevent normal nutrient absorption.
PN can be administered through two primary routes:
1. Central Parenteral Nutrition (CPN):
CPN involves delivering a high concentration of nutrients through a large vein. This is typically achieved using a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) or,...
Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy01:26

Extracorporeal Removal of Drugs: Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) is an essential intervention for patients experiencing severe kidney dysfunction. This therapy offers a continuous mechanism for removing fluids and toxins from the bloodstream, leveraging the patient’s blood pressure to facilitate filtration through a specialized filter. This method contrasts with intermittent dialysis, providing a gentler and more consistent removal of waste products and excess fluid, which is particularly beneficial in critically...