Totally implantable central venous access ports in patients with cystic fibrosis: a multicenter prospective cohort study.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to assess the incidence of late onset complications of totally implantable venous access devices (TIVAD) in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and to investigate possible associations between the rate of complications and different policies of TIVAD management.MethodsA multicenter prospective cohort study was performed in 11 Italian CF Centers. Patients with CF and a TIVAD were recruited and followed-up.ResultsThe study commenced on May 2008 and ended on September 2010. Eighty subjects were studied (77.5% women - mean age 27.2 years). Eighteen late complications of ports were observed (22.5%; incidence 0.96 per 1000 days of observation): three lumen occlusions, seven catheter-related infections, three port-related venous thrombosis, in addition to five other complications. A statistically significant association was found between the onset of catheter-related infection and the presence of CF-related diabetes (CFRD) (P=.0064)ConclusionsOur data suggest that TIVADs represent...