Implantable venous access devices: an alternative method of extended cancer care

The advent of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) is changing the method of treatment for those chronically ill patients who require long-term chemotherapy or narcotic infusion. TIVADs eliminate the problem of limited peripheral vein access with little risk of complication. At Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, we have implanted 30 TIVADs (3 Infuse-A-Ports and 27 Port-a-Caths) for a total of 4,502 patient days. This report documents our experience with the implantation and utilization of TIVAD systems.