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Safety and comfort in the first place – implementation of port-a-cath system and its application to veins therapy

Latest approaches in treatment of oncology patients are focused on safety and comfort. Irva Clinic applies a unique method of under-the-skin infusion implementation to vein system, ensuring all kinds of infusion therapies without using peripheral veins.

Written by MD Momir M. Sarac, vascular surgeon

Assistant editor: lead nurse Dragica Jevdjic

Medical science development , especially the development of new materials and technologies, have greatly contributed to introduction of innovations in the treatment of malignant diseases, treatment of pain, intravenous nutritional support, etc.. Contemporary oncology principles require the introduction of a stable and permanent venous access, taking into account the safety, comfort and quality of life of patients with such needs.
One of the most reliable and comfortable ways of implementation of intravenous therapy is PORT-A-CATH system which has a totally implantable central venous access.

It allows almost unlimited and always repeatable venous access, and therefore the safest way possible to apply the medication therapy, fluid and nutrients, painkillers, blood transfusions and blood products, etc.  Another major advantage of this system is in the possibility of taking blood samples for various laboratory tests without the need for puncturing peripheral veins.

What is the essence and the greatest benefits from the application of port-a-cath system?

It is known that in the treatment of malignant disease in parenteral nutrition and pain therapy - drugs applied are aggressive, highly concentrated solutions and that they are applied periodically or continuously through a relatively long period of several months or years. There is a common need for blood transfusion, however, the control of patient adherence and therapy success is implemented daily by taking blood for analysis.
The classic way that does it all has numerous flaws and endangers the patient in several ways - the decline of peripheral veins, inability of puncturing veins, pain, possibility of local infection and inflammation, thrombosis and so on.

Chemically aggressive drugs and highly concentrated solutions damage the walls of blood vessels and those already in use in the treatment of the following cycles are not as good as before. Repeating the injection site and effect of medications, there are fewer possibilities to continue therapy, so patients suffer, both because of the severe and more painful treatment, and the continuing deterioration of blood vessels.

The only real access to the venous system in such cases, are the central veins that are broad enough to receive a certain amount of medication or other concentrated liquids, while, in a relatively large lumen, due to changes in concentration, do not act directly on the walls of blood vessels and do not damage them.

PORT-A-CATH catheter is introduced through skin in the central vein that leads to the heart and is associated with a small tank (port) that is implanted under the skin. Biopsy is usually done on the right jugular or left subclavicular vein.

Accessible reservoir placed under the skin is linked with a catheter to large blood vessels. Through reservoir we can apply various drugs, infusion solutions, blood transfusions, pain relievers, or we can take blood samples for various analysis and control.

Peripheral veins are preserved that way, and patients do not get pain and discomfort, or even thrombosis and infection. The most aggressive therapy becomes technically an easy task for therapist, as well as for patients.

Besides all of the above, IRVA Clinic team of doctors do diagnosis and treatment of various vascular techniques for nephrology patients, and diagnosis of all blood vessels condition.

Safety and comfort in the first place - the implementation of port-a-cath system.