I read with great interest the article by Malgrange et al. (3) about the usefulness of difference in time-to-positivity of peripheral blood cultures and cultures of blood taken through the catheter for the diagnosis of bloodstream infection related to long-term intravenous devices. However, in performing sensitivity and specificity analyses for validation of a new diagnostic test, the choice of...

BACKGROUND Over the last decades, many changes have occurred in oncology with new chemotherapy combinations and more complex application schemes becoming available. Central venous catheters and implantable venous port systems have become widely used and have facilitated the problem of vascular access. However, important complications are associated with permanent central venous catheters. MAT...

PURPOSE Evaluation of the efficacy of single-shot, low-dose urokinase administration for the treatment of port catheter-associated fibrin sheaths. METHODS Forty-six patients were retrospectively evaluated for 54 episodes of port catheter dysfunction. The presence of a fibrin sheath was detected by angiographic contrast examinations. On an outpatient basis, patients subsequently received throm...

The purpose of the present study was to examine whether patency times, including complications of subcutaneous venous chest port insertion using ultrasonography (US) guidance, differ between jugular and subclavian venous access. Between December 2008 and July 2010, subcutaneous venous chest ports were placed in 347 patients by an experienced team. All single-lumen port catheters were placed int...

BACKGROUND We assessed longevity and complications of totally implantable venous access devices in oncology patients. METHODS 197 patients received a total of 201 port devices via the subclavian vein for delivery of chemotherapy between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006. We reviewed the patient charts for port-related complications and risk factors until July 31, 2007. RESULTS A total ...

Recent advances in anticancer chemotherapy have resulted in an increase in the number of patients requiring a central venous port catheter, and the incidence of catheter pinch-off syndrome has been increasing. Catheter pinch-off syndrome is a rare and unusual complication. It is difficult to retrieve dislodged catheters from the pulmonary artery, especially if the catheter is stuck to the perip...

BACKGROUND Central venous catheters (CVCs) have been an effective access for chemotherapy instead of peripherally intravenous catheters. There were limited studies on the choices and effects of different types of CVCs for chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to compare the complications, cost, and patients' quality of life and satisfaction of three commonly used CVCs for chemotherapy, such a...

To the Editor-Recent developments of thoracoscopic surgical instmments and techniques have increased the demand for selective lung ventilation in younger children. Because the use of pediatric doublelumen endotracheal tubes' is limited, this is conventionally accomplished by blocking the required bronchus with a Fogarty embolectomy catheter' or with a pulmonary artery catheter.' In most reporte...