Impact of Port-A-Cath device management in cancer patients with candidaemia

Summary This study investigated the impact of management of a totally implantable central venous access port device, Port-A-Cath (Smith Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA), on the outcome of 98 cancer patients with candidaemia. Port-A-Cath retention was found to be significantly associated with poorer outcome, independent of other significant adverse factors [breakthrough candidaemia, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score ≥21, and worse Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score (3–4)]. However, retention of Port-A-Cath devices could be considered in patients who do not have definite catheter-related candidaemia, are not using total parenteral nutrition, do not have poor ECOG performance scores or APACHE II scores, and do not have septic shock.