Incidence and Determinants of Port Occlusions in Cancer Outpatients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Normal saline is considered a safe alternative for heparin as a locking solution in totally implantable venous access devices. The incidence rate of partial occlusion with the use of normal saline (easy injection, impossible aspiration) is estimated at 4%. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate determinants of partial occlusions with the use of normal saline solution and the maintenance of positive pressure in the catheter. Methods: We enrolled 218 patients with different solid tumors who underwent pharmacologic treatment through the port with different frequencies: from once every week to at least once every month. The port was flushed with normal saline solution keeping a positive pressure in the catheter. Results: We performed 4111 observations and documented normal port functioning in 99% of observations (n = 4057) and partial occlusions in 1% of observations (n = 54). Partial occlusions were significantly associated with frequency of port flushing (P

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from #Med Blogs by Alexandros G.Sfakianakis via Alexandros G.Sfakianakis on Inoreader http://ift.tt/1QH7bUA
via IFTTT