Implanted Venous Access Port

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

An implanted venous access port is a device used to give treatments and to take blood. It may also be called a central venous access device (CVAD). The port is a small container that is placed under your skin, usually in your upper chest. A port can also be placed in your arm or abdomen. The container is attached to a catheter (tube) that enters a large vein.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

• During placement, the catheter may enter the wrong area, causing abnormal heartbeats. Blood vessels may be damaged, causing you to bleed more than expected. Blood may collect around your heart, making it hard for your heart to beat. Your lung may collapse, and air or blood may leak into the space around your lungs. Air may enter your chest and cause heart or lung problems. Blood may collect in the area your port was placed and you may bruise around the port site. You may have pain or discomfort, and get a scar where the port was placed. The area around your port may get infection, or you may get an infection in your bloodstream.
  
  
• The tip of your catheter may become blocked, break, kink, or move from its position. Medicine may leak from your port and cause swelling, or pain. You can have bleeding, an allergy to heparin, or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is a low number of platelets, increasing your risk for bleeding. You may get a blood clot in your arm that causes pain and swelling, and can stop blood flow. The blood clot may break loose and travel to your lungs. A blood clot in your lungs can cause chest pain and trouble breathing. This problem can be life-threatening.
  
  
• If you do not have a port placed, you may not get the treatment you need. You may get many needle sticks to get the treatments you need. Contact your caregiver if you have questions or concerns about your procedure or care.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Before your procedure:

• Heart monitor: This is also called an ECG or EKG. Sticky pads placed on your skin record your heart's electrical activity.
  
  
• Local anesthesia: Anesthesia medicine makes you more comfortable during your procedure. Local anesthesia is a shot of numbing medicine put into the skin where your port will be placed. You may still feel pressure or pushing during the procedure after getting this medicine. With local anesthesia, you are awake during the procedure.

During your procedure:

• You will lie on your back, with your head slightly lower than your feet. A cushion may be placed under you, between your shoulder blades. An ultrasound or x-ray may be used to help guide the placement of the catheter and port. Your caregiver will insert a needle through your skin until it reaches your vein. A guidewire and sheath (cover) will be put through the needle and into your vein. The needle is then removed.
  
  
• A catheter is placed over the guidewire, through the sheath, and into your vein. You may be asked to hum while the catheter is placed, to prevent air from entering the catheter. The guidewire and sheath will be removed. A skin incision (cut), and a pocket under your skin, will be made where the port will be placed. A tunnel is made under your skin to connect the catheter and port together. The port is secured with stitches. The cut is closed with stitches or medical glue, and may be covered with a bandage until it heals.

After your procedure:

A chest x-ray will be done to check the placement of the catheter and port. You may have a non-coring needle in your port right after it is placed to start your treatments. You will need to rest for awhile after your procedure. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is okay.

Learn more about Implanted Venous Access Port (Inpatient Care)