Outcome analysis in 3,160 implantations of radiologically guided placements of totally implantable central venous port systems

Objectives In this retrospective study the success and complication rates after radiologically guided port catheter implantation were evaluated. Methods Between 2000 and 2008, 3,160 port catheter systems were implanted in our interventional suite. All interventions were imaging guided. The puncture of the preferably right internal jugular vein (IJV) was ultrasound-assisted and the catheter tip position was controlled with fluoroscopy. Catheter indwelling time and rates of periprocedural, early and late complications were evaluated. Results 922,599 catheter days (mean, 292 days; range, 0–2,704 days) were documented. The implantation was successful in 3,153 (99.8%) cases. A total of 374 (11.8%; 0.41/1,000 catheter days) adverse events were recorded. Of these, 42 (1.33%) were periprocedural complications. 86 (3.3%; 0.09/1,000 catheter days) early and 246 (9.4%; 0.27/1,000 catheter days) late onset complications occurred after port implantation. The most common complications were blood stream infection ( n = 134; 5.1%; 0.15/1,000 catheter days), catheter-induced venous thrombosis ( n = 97; 3.7%; 0.11/1,000 catheter days) and catheter migration ( n = 34; 1.3%; 0.04/1,000 catheter days). A total of 193 (6.1%) port explantations were required. Conclusion Ultrasound guided port implantation via the IJV results in low periprocedural complication rates