Port Problems

Totally implantable vascular access devices (TIVADs) are a safe and effective method of providing long-term intravenous therapy for patients with CF and can usually be left in situ for up to 2 years. Special needles are used to access ports and this should only be done by trained staff with strict asepsis.

Overall complication rates of 12-20% have been reported: the most common complications are [18]:

• Infection manifesting as pain, pyrexia or sepsis (11%)
• Catheter blockage (7%)
• Leakage (5%)
• Vascular thrombosis (4%)
• Detached and migrating catheter (4%)
• Malposition (2%)
• Pneumothorax (1%)
• Fractured line (<1%)