The permanent central venous catheter system (Port-a-Cath) is a complete implantable intravascular catheter system, in which the drum is implanted into a newly created subcutaneous pocket over the pectoralis major muscle, and the tip of the catheter through the subclavian vein ends in the superior vena cava.
Wide application of the device is mostly used in cancer patients that need prolonged access of the central venus system for infusion of:
- drugs
- intravenous fluids
- parenteral nutrition solutions
- blood derivatives
and for blood sampling.
The port-a-cath placement is a brief and simple surgical technique , which is performed under local anesthesia and for maximum patient safety under fluoroscopic guidance (C-arm).
