Upper extremity deep venous thrombosis after port insertion: What are the risk factors?

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.

Revisiting the Anatomical Landmark-Guided Central Venous Access Device Insertion: A Retrospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound (USG) guidance is superior to blind and open cut-down techniques for accurate puncture of the internal jugular vein (IJV) or subclavian vein, but it increases the cost and duration of the procedure. Here, we report our experience with the reliability and consistency of anatomic landmark-guided technique for Central Venous Access Device (CVAD) insertion in a low-resource setting.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the prospectively maintained database of patients undergoing CVAD insertion through one of the jugular veins was performed. Central venous access was achieved using a standardized anatomic insertion landmark (apex of Sedillot's triangle). Ultrasonography (USG) and/or fluoroscopy assistance was taken as and when required.

RESULTS

Over 12 months (October 2021 to September 2022), a total of 208 patients underwent CVAD insertion. Central venous access was successfully achieved using anatomic landmark-guided technique in all but 14 patients (6.7%), in whom USG guidance or C-arm was used. Eleven out of 14 patients who needed guidance for CVAD insertion had body mass index (BMI) of more than 25, one had thyromegaly while the remaining two had an arterial puncture during cannulation. CVAD insertion-related complications included deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in five, extravasation of chemotherapeutic agent in one, spontaneous extrusion related to a fall in one, and persistent withdrawal-related occlusion in seven patients.

CONCLUSION

Anatomical landmark-guided technique of CVAD insertion is safe and reliable, and can reduce the need for USG/C-arm in 93% of the patients.

A novel incision technique of a totally implanted venous access port in the upper arm for patients with breast cancer

BACKGROUND

A totally implanted venous access port (TIVAP) in the upper arm is a safe and cost-effective vascular access device and is widely used in breast cancer patients. Traditional tunnelling technique increases the operation time and has an unsatisfied cosmetic effect, so we explored the feasibility, cosmetic effect and complications of an upper arm port with a novel incision in this retrospective study.

METHODS

We reviewed 489 cases of totally implantable venous access port implantation in the upper arm with two types of incisions in our centre from 1 January 2018 to 30 January 2022. The patients were divided into two different incision groups including the puncture site incision group (n = 282) and the conventional tunnelling group (n = 207). The comparison of the results was collected between the two groups, and contributing factors were analyzed for major complications.

RESULTS

A total of 489 patients were successfully implanted with arm ports using the puncture site incision technique (n = 282, 57.7%) and conventional tunnelling technique (n = 207, 42.3%). The average operation time of the two types of incisions was 36.5 ± 15 min in the puncture site incision group and 55 ± 18.1 min in the tunnel needle group (P < 0.05). In terms of complications, 33 catheter-related complications occurred (6.4%), including 9 cases of infection, 15 cases of catheter-related thrombosis and 7 cases of skin exposure. Fourteen patients in the puncture site incision group developed complications compared with 17 in the traditional incision group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of overall complication events (5.0% and 8.2%, P = 0.145) while the same result was found in each complication event. Weight, total cholesterol and diabetes were found to be associated with device-related infections in the univariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Diabetes was found to be associated with device-related infections in multivariate analysis while hypertension was associated with thrombosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The puncture site incision method is a novel technique with a better cosmetic appearance and less operation time than the traditional tunnelling technique, providing a comparable overall rate of complications. It offers a preferable choice for clinicians when dealing with different situations of patients. It is worthy of being used and promoted for patients requiring the totally implanted venous access port in the upper arm.

Risk factors for totally implantable access ports-associated thrombosis in pediatric oncology patients

The application of totally implantable access ports (TIAPs) reduces treatment-related discomfort; however, the existence of catheter may cause side effects, with the most common one being the occurrence of TIAPs-associated thrombosis. The risk factors for TIAPs-associated thrombosis in pediatric oncology patients have not been fully described. A total of 587 pediatric oncology patients undergoing TIAPs implantation at a single center over a 5-year period were retrospectively analyzed in the present study. We investigated the risk factors for thrombosis, emphasizing the internal jugular vein distance, by measuring the vertical distance from the highest point of the catheter to the upper border of the left and right extremitas sternalis claviculae on chest X-ray images. Among 587 patients, 143 (24.4%) had thrombosis. Platelet count, C-reactive protein, and the vertical distance from the highest point of the catheter to the upper border of the left and right extremitas sternalis claviculae were demonstrated to be the main risk factors for the development of TIAPs-associated thrombosis. TIAPs-associated thrombosis, especially asymptomatic events, is common in pediatric cancer patients. The vertical distance from the highest point of the catheter to the upper border of the left and right extremitas sternalis claviculae was a risk factor for TIAPs-associated thrombosis, which deserved additional attention.

Complications of Totally Implantable Central Venous Catheters (Ports) Inserted via the Internal Jugular Vein Under Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy Guidance in Adult Oncology Patients: A Single-Center Experience

Introduction

In this retrospective study, the safety and complication rates of port implantations via the internal jugular vein under ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance in adult oncology patients were analyzed.

Material and methods

Eight hundred seven ports implanted in 799 adult oncology patients at a tertiary Oncology-Anticancer Hospital during a 36-month period from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Data acquisition was obtained until December 31, 2020. All procedures were performed by two specialized interventional radiologists under ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance. The vein access was via the internal jugular vein. Catheter days (the total number of days of maintenance of the port by all of the patients until removal, death, or December 31, 2020), technical success rates, and complication rates were evaluated based on the interventional radiological reports and patient medical records. Multivariate analysis regarding patients such as age, sex, body mass index (BMI), marital status, educational level, cancer type, side of insertion, diameter of internal jugular vein, diabetes, anticoagulants/antiplatelets, purpose of implantation, and catheter material as to the risk of complications was conducted.

Results

A total of 369,329 catheter maintenance days were observed (457.7±345.0). The technical success rate was 99.9%, and a total of 85 (10.5%) complications occurred, of which 24 (28.2%) occurred early (<30 days) and the remaining 61 (71.8%) were late (>30 days) complications. Specifically, 28 (3.5%) were catheter-related thrombosis (CRT), 27 (3.4%) related to infection, 17 (2.1%) were mechanical complications (16 fibrin sheath formation and one catheter occlusion), six (0.7%) related to catheter migration, four (0.5%) related to incision healing problems, and the remaining three (0.4%) related to ischemic skin necrosis. Forty-seven (5.8%) ports were removed due to complications. On multivariate analysis, cancer type was found as a risk factor for the development of a complication. Additionally, there was an indication that hematologic malignancy is related to infection.

Conclusion

Placement of ports via the internal jugular vein under ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance is a safe procedure, with low rates of early and late complications.

Peripheral Blood Smear Detection of Asymptomatic Central Line Infection in a Patient With Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease is a lifelong disorder which may be managed by chronic red cell transfusion including exchange transfusion. Chronic indwelling vascular catheters including ports offer convenient and reliable access for red cell exchange but confer risk of complications including infection and thrombosis. Detection of these complications is essential for preserving vascular access and relies on both clinical and laboratory observation. Here we describe a case of asymptomatic port infection detected by manual screening of a peripheral blood smear.

Complications Associated With Totally Implanted Venous Access Devices in the Arm Versus the Chest: A Short-Term Retrospective Study

PURPOSE

To retrospectively compare complications for totally implanted venous access devices (TIVADs or ports) in the arm vs. the chest. One participating institution implanted all TIVADs in the arm, whereas the other institution implanted them in the chest.

METHODS

Subjects were consecutive patients > 18 years with a device inserted between July 2017 and January 2019 at either Hospital A, where all devices were implanted in the arm, or at Hospital B, where all devices were implanted in the chest. Complications (rates/1,000 catheter-days and frequencies) were compared between the arm and chest locations.

RESULTS

201 arm devices (71% female, mean age 59.4 years) and 203 chest devices (66% female, mean age 61.5 years) were assessed. Overall complication rates did not differ between the arm and chest [arm: 30 complications per 56,938 catheter-days (0.530/1,000 catheter-days) vs. chest: 47 complications per 63,324 catheter-days (0.742/1,000 catheter-days), p-value 0.173]. Periprocedural complications and mechanical malfunction also did not differ. Although prophylactic antibiotic use was higher in the chest (79.3% vs. 1.50%, p-value < 0.0001), infection rates did not differ. Arm venous thrombosis was significantly higher in the arm cohort (0.205 vs. 0.017/1,000 catheter-days, p-value 0.003) and pulmonary thromboembolism in the chest cohort (0.269 vs 0.056/1,000 catheter-days, p-value 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

While arm venous thrombosis was higher in the arm and pulmonary thromboembolism in the chest cohort, other complications were similar. Antibiotic use was more frequent in the chest cohort, while infection rates remained similar in both cohorts.

Relationship between ABO blood group and risk of venous thrombosis in cancer patients with peripherally inserted central catheters: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is closely related to venous thromboembolism (VTE). It is a common complication of hospitalized patients, and its etiology is complex. How to prevent the occurrence of VTE is the focus of clinical work. In order to provide basis for individual prevention and accurate treatment of VTE, the purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between ABO blood group and the risk of VTE in cancer patients associated with PICC through meta-analysis.

METHODS

Electronic databases, including Embase, Cochrane Library, Pubmed, Chinese databases SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and Wanfang Data, were searched for case-control studies of ABO blood group and PICC-related VTE in cancer patients. The languages were limited to Chinese and English. Two reviewers were responsible for the selection of the study, the extraction of data and the evaluation of the quality of the research. All statistical analyses were carried out with Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14.0.

RESULTS

The results of this meta-analysis would be published in peer-reviewed journals.

CONCLUSION

This study provided evidence to support the relationship between ABO blood group and the risk of PICC-related VTE in cancer patients.

OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER

DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/6DPFG.

Risk of venous thromboembolism associated with totally implantable venous access ports in cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Totally implantable venous access ports (TIVAPs) for chemotherapy are associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE). We aimed to quantify the incidence of TIVAP-associated VTE and compare it with external central venous catheters (CVCs) in cancer patients through a meta-analysis.

METHODS

Studies reporting on VTE risk associated with TIVAP were retrieved from medical literature databases. In publications without a comparison group, the pooled incidence of TIVAP-related VTE was calculated. For studies comparing TIVAPs with external CVCs, odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to assess the risk of VTE.

RESULTS

In total, 80 studies (11 with a comparison group and 69 without) including 39 148 patients were retrieved. In the noncomparison studies, the overall symptomatic VTE incidence was 2.76% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.24-3.28), and 0.08 (95 CI: 0.06-0.10) per 1000 catheter-days. This risk was highest when TIVAPs were inserted via the upper-extremity vein (3.54%, 95% CI: 2.94-4.76). Our meta-analysis of the case-control studies showed that TIVAPs were associated with a decreased risk of VTE compared with peripherally inserted central catheters (OR = 0.20, 95% CI: 0.09-0.43), and a trend for lower VTE risk compared with Hickman catheters (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.37-1.50). Meta-regression models suggested that regional difference may significantly impact on the incidence of VTE associated with TIVAPs.

CONCLUSIONS

Current evidence suggests that the cancer patients with TIVAP are less likely to develop VTE compared with external CVCs. This should be considered when choosing the indwelling intravenous device for chemotherapy. However, more attention should be paid when choosing upper-extremity veins as the insertion site.

Complications of central venous port systems: a pictorial review

Central venous port devices are indicated for patients, who need long-term intravenous therapy. Oncologic patients may require intermittent administration of chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, infusions, or blood transfusions. A venous port system is composed of a port chamber attached to a central catheter, which is implanted into the central venous system. The subcutaneous location of the catheter chamber improves the patients’ quality of life and the infection rate is lower than in non-totally implantable central venous devices. However, proper implantation, use, and care of a port system are important to prevent short- and long-term complications. Most common early complications (< 30 days) include venous malpositioning of catheter and perforation with arterial injury, pneumothorax, hemothorax, thoracic duct injury, or even cardiac tamponade. Delayed complications include infection, catheter thrombosis, vessel thrombosis and stenosis, catheter fracture with extravasation, or fracture with migration or embolization of catheter material. Radiologic imaging has become highly relevant in intra-procedural assessment and postoperative follow-up, for detection of possible complications and to plan intervention, e.g., in case of catheter migration. This pictorial review presents the normal imaging appearance of central venous port systems and demonstrates imaging features of short- and long-term complications.