Port-A-Cath usage in children with haemophilia: experience of 53 cases

Acta Paediatr. 1998 Oct;87(10):1051-4. doi: 10.1080/080352598750031365.

Abstract

Experience of the Port-A-Cath implantable venous access system in 53 children with severe or moderate haemophilia A or B from seven centres in five countries is reviewed. The cumulative duration of follow-up was 1578 months (median 30 months, range 1-114). Of the devices implanted, 70% (37/53) were used without complications (median follow-up 32 months; range 1-114) and the remaining 30% (16/53) were associated with various types of complication: infection, bacteraemia or septicaemia in 56% (9/16) of cases, i.e. a rate of 0.07 per follow-up year or 0.19 per 1000 patient days, or various technical complications occurring after a median of 32 months (range 4-75) of uncomplicated use in the remaining 44% (7/16). Of the patients with inhibitors, 64% (7/11) manifested complications. Both doctors and parents considered that the Port-A-Cath device can be used with an acceptable frequency and severity of complications, and that it enables regular prophylactic or on-demand home treatment of children with haemophilia to be begun at an early age.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Catheterization, Central Venous / instrumentation*
  • Catheters, Indwelling*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Hemophilia A / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Retrospective Studies