The use of the Port-A-Cath in children with haemophilia--a review

Haemophilia. 1998 Jul;4(4):418-20. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2516.1998.440418.x.

Abstract

Port-A-Caths have been used increasingly in children with severe haemophilia. In non-inhibitor patients where Port-a-Caths were used to facilitate long-term prophylaxis, the infection rate is rather low and ranges in the various studies from 0 to 29%, with a median follow-up time of about 27 months. Patients that received the Port-A-Cath for the induction of immune tolerance (inhibitor patients) have a high infection rate of 50% to 83%. Although this percentage is high, good venous access is extremely important, especially in this group. The number of both inhibitor and non-inhibitor patients in the studies are very small, and a prospective survey is important to obtain more adequate data.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Catheterization, Central Venous / instrumentation*
  • Catheters, Indwelling
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Factor VIII / administration & dosage*
  • Hemophilia A / drug therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infusions, Intravenous / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Factor VIII