Complications with fully implantable venous access systems in oncologic patients

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Vascular Access Devices
• Medical Complications

Background:

• Long-term central venous catheterization is crucial for treating patients with malignant hemopathies and solid tumors.
• Assessing complications associated with these devices is essential for patient safety and treatment efficacy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the complications arising from long-term central venous catheterization in patients with malignant hemopathies or solid tumors.
• To determine the incidence and types of complications, including infections and mechanical issues.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study was conducted from June 1988 to June 1993.
• Data were collected from 211 consecutive patients requiring 223 venous access devices for long-term use.
• Consistent analysis was performed on 161 patients.

Main Results:

• Fourteen catheter systems were removed due to complications.
• Infections were the most frequent complication, with an overall incidence of 9.6% (0.033 per 100 catheter days/patient).
• A significant difference in infection rates was observed between malignant hemopathies (24%) and solid tumors (4.8%) (P = 0.0002). Thrombosis occurred in 3% of cases.

Conclusions:

• Fully implantable venous access systems demonstrate significant utility in oncologic patients.
• The cost-benefit ratio supports the use of these systems for long-term venous access in cancer care.