Clinical Predictors of Port Infections in Adult Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Risk Factors for Unplanned Early Implantable Port Catheter Removal in Adult Hematology Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy: A Propensity Score Matching Study

Purpose

Implantable port catheter is a reliable vascular access for chemotherapy infusion in cancer patients. However, patients with hematology malignancies usually present with a myriad of blood cell abnormalities that put them at risk of infection and mechanical problems requiring catheter removal. This study aims to determine the risk factors associated with unplanned (catheter removal other than completion of treatment plan) early (within 90 days of catheter implantation) implantable port catheter removal.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective, propensity score-matched study of 386 patients with hematology malignancies who received implantable venous access ports between January 2015 and December 2022. We conducted a univariate analysis to select the variables for propensity score matching. Patients with unplanned early implantable port catheter removal (early group) were matched 1:1 to patients without unplanned early removal (non-early group).

Results

Univariate analysis demonstrated a statistically significant difference between early and non-early groups for age (p = 0.048), hemoglobin level (p = 0.028), thrombocytopenia (p = 0.025), and PG-SGA (p < 0.001). Thrombocytopenia was the only independent risk factor with a statistically significant difference in Cox proportional hazard analysis, HR 2.823, 95 CI 1.050-7.589, p = 0.040. The median catheter survival for patients with thrombocytopenia was 61 days (95% CI 28.58-93.42) compared to 150 days (95% CI 9.81-290.19) for patients without thrombocytopenia, p = 0.015. Patient survival is not affected by early catheter removal. The median survival for patients in the early group was 28.28 months (95% CI 27.43-29.15) compared to 32.39 months (95% CI 24.11-40.68), for the non-early group, p = 0.709.

Conclusion

Hematology malignancy patients with thrombocytopenia are at high risk for unplanned early port catheter removal without survival difference.

Central venous access device terminologies, complications, and reason for removal in oncology: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Lack of agreed terminology and definitions in healthcare compromises communication, patient safety, optimal management of adverse events, and research progress. The purpose of this scoping review was to understand the terminologies used to describe central venous access devices (CVADs), associated complications and reasons for premature removal in people undergoing cancer treatment. It also sought to identify the definitional sources for complications and premature removal reasons. The objective was to map language and descriptions used and to explore opportunities for standardisation.

METHODS

A systematic search of MedLine, PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL Complete and Embase databases was performed. Eligibility criteria included, but were not limited to, adult patients with cancer, and studies published between 2017 and 2022. Articles were screened and data extracted in Covidence. Data charting included study characteristics and detailed information on CVADs including terminologies and definitional sources for complications and premature removal reasons. Descriptive statistics, tables and bar graphs were used to summarise charted data.

RESULTS

From a total of 2363 potentially eligible studies, 292 were included in the review. Most were observational studies (n = 174/60%). A total of 213 unique descriptors were used to refer to CVADs, with all reasons for premature CVAD removal defined in 84 (44%) of the 193 studies only, and complications defined in 56 (57%) of the 292 studies. Where available, definitions were author-derived and/or from national resources and/or other published studies.

CONCLUSION

Substantial variation in CVAD terminology and a lack of standard definitions for associated complications and premature removal reasons was identified. This scoping review demonstrates the need to standardise CVAD nomenclature to enhance communication between healthcare professionals as patients undergoing cancer treatment transition between acute and long-term care, to enhance patient safety and rigor of research protocols, and improve the capacity for data sharing.

Comparison of Infection Rates between Single-Lumen and Double-Lumen Chest Ports among Patients with Cancer: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

PURPOSE

To compare the port infection rate between single-lumen (SL) and double-lumen (DL) ports and to determine whether the use of a DL port is an independent risk factor for port infection among patients with cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 2,573 adult oncologic patients (aged >18 years) who had either a SL (n = 841) or a DL (n = 1,732) chest port implanted between 2013 and 2020 at a single institution. Patients who had port infection, including port-site infection and port-related bloodstream infection, were identified through chart review. After propensity score matching based on 13 potentially confounding variables, a total of 493 pairs of patients with either SL (SL group) or DL (DL group) ports were subjected to analysis. The port infection rate was compared between the 2 groups using Poisson regression. Multivariate proportional subdistribution hazards regression (PSHREG) analysis was conducted to determine whether use of a DL port is an independent risk factor for port infection.

RESULTS

The cumulative follow-up period for the matched cohort was 371,853 catheter-days (median, 297 catheter-days per port; range, 0-1,903 catheter-days). The port infection rate of the DL group was significantly higher than that of the SL group (0.232 vs 0.113 infections per 1,000 catheter-days; P = .001). PSHREG analysis demonstrated that use of a DL port was an independent risk factor of port infection (subdistribution hazard ratio, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.33-3.78; P = .002).

CONCLUSIONS

DL ports were associated with a higher risk of port infection compared with SL ports in adult oncologic patients.

Silver-Mixed Port Reduces Venous Access Port Related Infection Rate Compared to Non-Silver-mixed Port: A Single-center Retrospective Analysis

PURPOSE

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) are increasingly used as safe and convenient central venous access devices. However, several TIVAP-related complications occur, with port/catheter infection being most common. Silver-mixed ports have recently been introduced in anticipation of reducing TIVAP infection. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of this device in reducing port infection by examining groups with and without silver-mixed devices.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From April 2017 to July 2022, silver-mixed ports (S group) and non-silver-mixed port group (NS group) were reviewed at our institution. The incidence of TIVAP-related infections, patient characteristics, and bacteriological data were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate risk factors for TIVAP-related infection.

RESULTS

A total of 607 patients (S group, n = 203; NS group, n = 404) were enrolled. The rates of TIVAP-related infection were 3.0% (n = 6) and 7.7% (n = 31) in the S and NS groups, respectively. The incidence of total infection per 1000 catheter-days were 0.114 and 0.214 the S and NS groups, respectively. In the entire group, the rates of infection were 6.1% (n = 37) and the incidence of total infection per 1000 catheter-days was 0.187. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed a significantly lower TIVAP-related infection rate in S group than NS group (p = 0.0216, odds ratio = 2.88 confidence interval: 1.17-7.08). No gram-negative rods were detected in the S group as port infection.

CONCLUSION

Silver-mixed port may be feasible in preventing port infection.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3, Local non-random sample.

Prognostic impact of the controlling nutritional status score in patients with hematologic malignancies: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

An increasing number of studies have validated the prognostic significance of the controlling nutritional status (CONUT) score in patients with solid tumors. However, the extent of the correlation between the CONUT score and clinical outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies is unclear.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the prognostic role of the CONUT score in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Methods

All relevant articles published up to November 15, 2021, were identified by systematically searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals were used to quantitatively analyze the association between the CONUT scores and clinical outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Funnel plots as well as Begg’s and Egger’s tests were used to assess publication bias.

Results

Six studies with 1811 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that a high CONUT score was associated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR=1.34, 95%CI 1.14-1.59, P &lt; 0.001) and progression-free survival (PFS) (HR=1.20, 95%CI 1.10-1.32, P &lt; 0.001).

Conclusions

The CONUT score is an independent prognostic factor in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Systematic review registration

http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021292621.

A Novel Risk Predictive Scoring Model for Predicting Subsequent Infection After Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Colonization in Hematological Malignancy Patients

Background

This study investigated the high-risk factors associated with the increased vulnerability for subsequent clinical CR-GNB infection in carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (CR-GNB)-colonized hematological malignancy (HM) patients and built a statistical model to predict subsequent infection.

Method

All adult HM patients with positive rectoanal swabs culture for CR-GNB between January 2018 and June 2020 were prospectively followed to assess for any subsequent CR-GNB infections and to investigate the risk factors and clinical features of subsequent infection.

Results

A total of 392 HM patients were enrolled. Of them, 46.7% developed a subsequent clinical CR-GNB infection, with 42 (10.7%) cases of confirmed infection and 141 (36%) cases of clinically diagnosed infection. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the dominant species. The overall mortality rate of patients colonized and infected with CR-GNB was 8.6% and 43.7%. A multivariate analysis showed that remission induction chemotherapy and the duration of agranulocytosis, mucositis, and hypoalbuminemia were significant predictors of subsequent infection after CR-GNB colonization. According to our novel risk-predictive scoring model, the high-risk group were >3 times more likely to develop a subsequent infection in comparison with the low-risk group.

Conclusion

Our risk-predictive scoring model can early and accurately predict a subsequent CR-GNB infection in HM patients with CR-GNB colonization. The early administration of CR-GNB-targeted empirical therapy in the high-risk group is strongly recommended to decrease their mortality.

Occurrence rate and risk factors for long-term central line-associated bloodstream infections in patients with cancer: A systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is a public health problem that harms patients' outcomes and healthcare costs, especially in susceptible populations such as patients with cancer. Overall, systematic queries about etiology, risks, and epidemiology are explained by data from observational studies, which better underline the relationship between factors and incidence of disease. However, no recent systematic reviews of observational studies on adult patients with cancer have been conducted on this topic, considering the wide range of all potential factors which can contribute to the increase in infection rate in the hospitalized adults with cancer. This study systematically reviewed observational studies investigating the occurrence rate of CLABSI and its risk factors for long-term inserted central catheter-related infections in hospitalized adult cancer patients.

METHODS

A systematic review was performed on four databases from the earliest available date until December 2020. Retrospective and prospective cohort studies focused on the occurrence rate of CLABSI and its risk factors in hospitalized adult cancer patients. The pooled occurrence rate of CLABSI (95% CI) was calculated by applying a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Of 1712 studies, 8 were eligible, and the data of device-related infection rate were meta-analyzed. The pooled occurrence rate of CLABSI was roughly 8% (95% CI [4%, 14%]). The device characteristics, device's management aspects, therapies administration, and select patients' clinical conditions represent the main risk factors for long-term catheter-related infection in cancer patients.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

Considering the substantial infection rate among cancer patients, identifying risk rate factors is pivotal to support evidence-grounded preventive strategies and maximize cancer patient safety. This study's results could guide policymakers and healthcare leaders and future research studies to disseminate appropriate risk-reducing management culture and implement standardized research and clinical approach to the investigated phenomenon as an infection surveillance strategy.

Incidence and risk factor for infection of totally implantable venous access port

BACKGROUND

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAP) have been widely used in cancer patients for many years. The early infection (within 30 days after TIVAP implantation) rate of TIVAP accounts for about one-third of all TIVAP infections, and early infection often causes port removal and affects subsequent cancer treatment. This study investigated the incidence and risk factors for early and late infection after TIVAP implantation.

METHODS

From January 2013 to December 2018, all adult cancer patients who received TIVAP implantation in Taipei Medical University Shuang-Ho Hospital were reviewed. We evaluated the incidence of TIVAP-related infection, patient characteristics, and bacteriologic data. Univariable analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to evaluate the risk factors of TIVAP-related infection.

RESULTS

A total of 3001 TIVAPs were implanted in 2897 patients, and the median follow-up time was 424 days (range: 1-2492 days), achieving a combined total of 1,648,731 catheter days. Thirty-one patients (1.0%) had early infection and 167 (5.6%) patients had late infection. In multivariate analysis, TIVAP combined with other surgeries (p = 0.03) and inpatient setting (p < 0.001) was the risk factor of early infection, and TIVAP combined with other surgeries (p = 0.007), hematological cancer (p = 0.03), and inpatient setting (p < 0.001) was the risk factor of late infection.

CONCLUSION

Inpatient TIVAP implantation and TIVAP implantation combined with other surgeries are associated with high rates of TIVAP-related early and late infections.

Hypoalbuminemia as Surrogate and Culprit of Infections

Hypoalbuminemia is associated with the acquisition and severity of infectious diseases, and intact innate and adaptive immune responses depend on albumin. Albumin oxidation and breakdown affect interactions with bioactive lipid mediators that play important roles in antimicrobial defense and repair. There is bio-mechanistic plausibility for a causal link between hypoalbuminemia and increased risks of primary and secondary infections. Serum albumin levels have prognostic value for complications in viral, bacterial and fungal infections, and for infectious complications of non-infective chronic conditions. Hypoalbuminemia predicts the development of healthcare-associated infections, particularly with Clostridium difficile. In coronavirus disease 2019, hypoalbuminemia correlates with viral load and degree of acute lung injury and organ dysfunction. Non-oncotic properties of albumin affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antimicrobials. Low serum albumin is associated with inadequate antimicrobial treatment. Infusion of human albumin solution (HAS) supplements endogenous albumin in patients with cirrhosis of the liver and effectively supported antimicrobial therapy in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Evidence of the beneficial effects of HAS on infections in hypoalbuminemic patients without cirrhosis is largely observational. Prospective RCTs are underway and, if hypotheses are confirmed, could lead to changes in clinical practice for the management of hypoalbuminemic patients with infections or at risk of infectious complications.

Use of catheter with 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine polymer coating is associated with long-term availability of central venous port

Central venous port (CVP) is a widely used totally implantable venous access device. Recognition of risks associated with CVP-related complications is clinically important for safe, reliable, and long-term intravenous access. We therefore investigated factors associated with CVP infection and evulsion, including the device type. A total of 308 consecutive patients with initial CVP implantation between January 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively reviewed, and the association of clinical features with CVP-related complications were analyzed. Intraoperative and postoperative complications occurred in 11 (3.6%) and 39 (12.7%) patients, respectively. The overall rate of CVP availability at six months was 91.4%. Malignancy and 2-Methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) polymer-coated catheter use were negatively associated with the incidence of CVP infections. Accordingly, malignancy and MPC polymer-coated catheter use were independent predictors for lower CVP evulsion rate (odds ratio, 0.23 and 0.18, respectively). Furthermore, both factors were significantly associated with longer CVP availability (hazard ratio, 0.24 and 0.27, respectively). This retrospective study identified factors associated with CVP-related complications and long-term CVP availability. Notably, MPC polymer-coated catheter use was significantly associated with a lower rate of CVP infection and longer CVP availability, suggesting the preventive effect of MPC coating on CVP infection.

Capacity Prioritization Initiative Reduced the Wait Time for Port Placement and Facilitated Increased Volume of Port Placements at a Large County Health System

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM

Wait time from request to placement of ports in interventional radiology had increased from 14 to 27 days over a 4-month period. The goal of this project was to reduce the wait time by 15% within 4 months while accommodating additional volume.

INSTITUIONAL APPROACH TO ADDRESS PROBLEM

Capacity analysis revealed 2 bottlenecks: (1) inadequate provider capacity for preprocedural visits in interventional radiology clinic and (2) inadequate number of spots for port placement in the angiography schedule. The intervention consisted of: (1) 2 reserved slots in the attending physician's morning clinic schedule and (2) 3 daily guaranteed spots for port placement in the angiography suite. Both changes were integrated into the electronic medical record scheduling system.

DESCRIPTION OF OUTCOMES

After the intervention, per biweekly period, the number of port requests increased by 17% (Preintervention: 16.6 ± 3.1, Postintervention: 20.1 ± 4.1, P = 0.03), the number of completed clinic visits increased by 19% (Preintervention: 16.7 ± 5.1, Postintervention: 20.5 ± 3.6, P = 0.05), and the number of port placements increased by 19% (Preintervention: 16.9 ± 3.9, Postintervention: 21.0 ± 3.5, P = 0.02). The average wait time from request to placement decreased by 22% (Preintervention: 22.2 ± 4.4 days, Postintervention: 18.3 ± 3.4 days, P = 0.03), driven by a 49% decrease in wait time between request and clinic visit (Preintervention: 11.0 ± 2.3 days, Postintervention: 7.4 ± 1.0 days, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Prioritization of clinic and angiography suite capacity, integrated into the electronic scheduling system, significantly reduced the wait time for port placement, even with significant increases in the volume of port requests.

Risk Factors for Early Port Infections in Adult Oncologic Patients

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate risk factors for chest port (port) infections within 30 days of placement (early port infections) in adult oncologic patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This single-institution, three-center retrospective study identified 1,714 patients (868 males, 846 females; median age 60.0 years old) who underwent port placement between January 2013 and August 2017. All patients received an intravenous antibiotic prior to port placement. The median absolute neutrophil count was 5,260 cells/μL, the median white blood cell (WBC) count was 7,700 cells/μL, and the median serum albumin was 4.00 g/dL at the time of port placement. Double-lumen ports were most commonly implanted (74.85%) more frequently in an outpatient setting (72.69%). Risk factors for early port infections were elucidated using univariate and multivariate proportional subdistribution hazard regression analyses.

RESULTS

A total of 20 patients (1.2%) had early port infections; 15 patients (0.9%) had positive blood cultures. The mean time to infection was 20 days (range, 9-30 days). The port-related 30-day mortality rate was 0.2% (4 of 1,714 patients). Most bloodstream infections were attributed to Staphylococcus spp. (n = 11). In multivariate analysis, hematologic malignancy (hazard ratio [HR], 2.61; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.15-5.92.; P = .02), hypoalbuminemia (albumin <3.5 g/dL; HR, 3.52; 95% CI: 1.48-8.36; P = .004), leukopenia (WBC <3,500 cells/μL; HR, 3.00; 95% CI: 1.11-8.09; P = .03), and diabetes mellitus (HR, 3.71; 95% CI: 1.57-8.83) remained statistically significant risk factors for early port infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Hematologic malignancy, hypoalbuminemia, leukopenia, and diabetes mellitus at the time of port placement were independent risk factors for early port infections.

Refeeding syndrome in hematological cancer patients - current approach

Introduction: According to estimates based on the GLOBOCAN database of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, in 2018 alone, 18 100 000 cancers were globally diagnosed. Importantly, the majority of cancer patients experience unintended weight loss that leads to many adverse clinical consequences, including malnutrition and cancer cachexia. At the same time, each nutritional intervention must be carried out individually, as it can lead to critical complications, resulting in a threat to the health and life of the cachectic patient. An example of this type of risk is refeeding syndrome.Areas covered: Three factors seem to be crucial in this case: early identification of patients at risk of malnutrition, the introduction of an individualized diet regimen and constant monitoring of nutritional intervention. It seems equally important to spread awareness about the possibility of refeeding syndrome and knowledge about its patomechanisms and consequences among medical staff. This should lead to minimizing the risk of refeeding syndrome.Expert opinion: It should be noted that current guidelines on the pathogenesis, risk factors and methods of prevention and treatment of refeeding syndrome require further modifications, that would harmonize the management regimen in both prevention and therapy of refeeding syndrome.

Length of Stay Predicts Risk of Early Infection for Hospitalized Patients Undergoing Central Venous Port Placement

PURPOSE

To compare early totally implantable central venous port catheter-related infection rates after inpatient vs outpatient placement and to determine whether the risk associated with inpatient placement is influenced by length of hospital stay.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this single-institution retrospective study, 5,301 patients (3,618 women; mean age 57 y) underwent port placement by interventional radiologists between October 2004 and January 2018. The 30-day infection rate was compared between inpatients and outpatients using survival analysis. Among inpatients, the effect of time from admission to port placement and from placement to discharge was analyzed using a survival regression tree.

RESULTS

The 30-day infection rate was 3.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.9%-6.1%) among 386 inpatients and 1.0% (95% CI = 0.7%-1.3%) among 4,915 outpatients (hazard ratio [HR] = 3.6, 95% CI = 2.0-6.6, P < .001). Inpatient placement was a significant risk factor after accounting for covariates in multivariate analysis (HR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.0-4.7, P = .05) and controlling for demographic differences by propensity score matching (HR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.0-7.8, P = .04). Infection rate was 11% (95% CI = 4.7%-22%) among 65 inpatients in whom time from admission to placement was ≥ 7 days, 5.1% (95% CI = 1.9%-11%) among 129 inpatients in whom admission to placement was < 7 days and time to discharge was > 3 days, and 0% (95% CI = 0%-2.1%) among 192 inpatients in whom admission to placement was < 7 days and time to discharge was ≤ 3 days (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Inpatient port placement was associated with a higher risk of early infection. However, a clinical decision tree based on shorter length of stay before and after placement may identify a subset of hospitalized patients not at increased risk for infection.

Right- versus Left-Sided Chest Ports in Oncologic Patients with a History of Right-Sided Port Removal: Are There Any Differences in the Complication Rates?

PURPOSE

To compare chest port (port)-related complication rates between right- and left-sided ports placed in adult oncologic patients with a history of right-sided port removal.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review identified 90 adult oncologic patients with a history of right-sided port removal. Of these, 60 patients had a second port placed on the right side (right-side group), while 30 patients had a second port placed on the left side (left-side group). Median time between first port removal and second port placement was 217 days (range, 0-3808 days). Port-related complications included infection (port-site and/or bloodstream), mechanical, thrombotic, and port-site skin complications. Complication rates between groups were compared. Proportional subdistribution hazard regression (PSHREG) was conducted to determine if laterality of the second port is an independent risk factor for port-related complications.

RESULTS

The cumulative follow-up period was 34,748 catheter-days (median, 233; range, 9-2162 days). Eleven patients (18.3%) in the right-side group and 2 patients (6.7%) in the left-side group had port-related complications (P = .21), accounting for complication rates of 0.5 and 0.2/1000 catheter-days (P = .24), respectively. No statistical difference was found in the incidence of infection (9/60 vs 1/30, P = .16), mechanical (0/60 vs. 1/30, P = .33), thrombotic (1/60 vs 0/30, P = 1.0), and skin-related (1/60 vs 0/30, P = 1.0) complications between groups. In multivariate PSHREG, laterality of the second port (hazard ratio = 3.09, 95% confidence interval = 0.81-11.76, P = .10) was not a significant risk factor for port-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS

In adult oncologic patients with a history of right-sided port removal, no significant differences in port-related complication rates were observed between right- and left-sided second ports.

Association between Periprocedural Neutropenia and Early Infection-related Chest Port Removal

Background Patients who require long-term central venous access can present for port placement with depressed immune function as a result of their treatment or disease process. At present, there is no consensus regarding whether neutropenia at the time of port placement confers a higher risk for early infection-related port removal. Purpose To compare the incidence of early infection-related chest port removal in adults when placed in neutropenic versus nonneutropenic patient groups. Materials and Methods This retrospective cohort study examined 2580 port placements in 1081 men (41.9%) and 1499 women (58.1%) at a single tertiary medical center between June 2007 and July 2017. Mean patient age ± standard deviation was 56 years ± 14 (range, 18-91 years). The electronic medical record was used to identify neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <1500 cells/mm³) at the time of port placement and incidence of infection-related port removal. Electronic medical record follow-up was conducted for 30 days following port placement. End points were infection-related port removal or death related to port infection within 30 days. Statistical analysis compared the neutropenic (n = 159) and nonneutropenic (n = 2421) patient groups by using a χ² test for categorical data and a Student t test for continuous variables, with a Fisher exact test to compare incidence of port removal and death related to port infection. Results Ports placed in patients with neutropenia had an infection-related removal rate of 3.8% (six of 159) versus 0.91% (22 of 2421) in patients without neutropenia (P = .003). Patients with neutropenia had a port infection-related death rate of 0.63% (one of 159) versus 0.12% (three of 2421) for patients without neutropenia (P = .22). Conclusion Neutropenia in adults at the time of implantable subcutaneous chest port placement was associated with a higher risk for early infection-related port removal. There was no difference in the incidence of death related to port infection in neutropenic or nonneutropenic populations. © RSNA, 2019 See also the editorial by Johnson in this issue.