RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Thromboembolism related to a Port-a-Cath device in a patient with cystic fibrosis.
JF Thorax
JO Thorax
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and British Thoracic Society
SP 98
OP 99
DO 10.1136/thx.52.1.98
VO 52
IS 1
A1 B Yung
A1 J S Elborn
A1 I A Campbell
A1 Y Summers
A1 M Beckles
A1 A A Woodcock
YR 1997
UL http://thorax.bmj.com/content/52/1/98.abstract
AB The case is described of a potentially life threatening complication relating to the use of a totally implantable venous access device (Port-a-Cath) in a 28 year old patient with cystic fibrosis. The device was inserted in 1990 and used repeatedly for antibiotic therapy without any complications. In 1995, during assessment for double lung transplantation, a 3 cm thrombus was found at the tip of the catheter in the right atrium. Embolisation of the thrombus to the pulmonary arteries occurred after the infusion of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Thrombus formation may be associated with totally implantable venous access devices and thromboembolism may occur following the use of thrombolytic agents in the treatment of such thrombosis.