As a result, it protects patients from certain health risks such as blocked veins and scarred skin.However, some drug users use portacaths to inject illegal drugs, such as heroin and cocaine, into their blood streams.

While drug addicts may effectively use a portacath to get high, this is extremely risky, and the side effects of such usage of a portacath may be fatal.

Tips

• One of the common health risks of using a portacath is injection site inflammation. Individuals who use portacaths to inject drugs such as a heroin are likely to contract inflammation-related infections such as severe systemic toxicity.
• When doctors use a portacath to administer legal chemotherapy drugs, they only access it at least once in four weeks (on average). However, drug users require several injections a day in order to get high. Therefore, using a portacath for the latter purpose increases the risk of developing swollen veins due to excess inflammation of the insertion site. This can lead to fatal illnesses such as pulmonary edema and ventricular hemorrhages.

Warnings

• Narcotic drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines are highly toxic. Therefore, do not inject such drugs into your blood stream using a portacath since such drugs may cause fatal complications such as cardiac arrest and strokes.
• Using a portacath to get high may make it difficult to notice signs of site infection such as soreness and swelling in time to seek treatment.
• Drugs such as heroin and cocaine are easily contaminated. Injecting such drugs directly into the blood stream using a portacath can cause respiratory distress and possibly death.

Advice

• Do not use a portacath for any other purpose other than the uses directed by a medical profession.
• If you need a portacath for medical treatments, do not contaminate it with any recreational drugs.

Citations

• http://www.archivesofpathology.org/doi/pdf/10.1043/1543-2165%282003%29127%3C1465%3AAFIAOO%3E2.0.CO%3B2
• http://www.erowid.org/archive/rhodium/pdf/drugs.and.poisons.pdf

Conclusion

Can I use portacath to get high? Yes you can. However, there are several inherent risks of doing that. Therefore, ensure you only use the device to administer safe and hygienic treatments.

Therefore, if you worry about the same issue, the simple answer is radiation cannot affect your portacath.

Can Radiation Affect Your Portacath?

Typically, radiologists perform radiation therapy on the side of the chest that does not have a portacath. If, for any reason, a radiologist needs to perform radiology on the side that you have your portacath, the radiologist would need to remove or move it first. However, it is important to note that radiation treatments weaken the immune system significantly. As such, patients should always sterilize their portacath in the weeks leading to and following their radiation treatments.

Tips

To ensure your portacath remains free of harmful germs before and after radiation treatments, you should do the following:

1. Follow all the maintenance guidelines provided by your doctor thoroughly.
2. Always wash your hands before touching the portacath insertion site to prevent the entry of germs into your blood.
3. During and after your radiotherapy, keep the lumens of your portacath well capped to avoid infection.
4. Ensure that you sterilize all the items you use to access the portacath while administering treatments such as syringes and needles.

Advice

It is important to note that the post radiation care of a portacath may vary from one individual to another depending on the following factors:

• How often a patient needs chemotherapy treatments.
• The nature of drugs, such as oral or intravenous, a patient needs after radiation.
• Whether a patient experienced any side effects from radiation treatment or not.

Citations

• http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca/En/HealthAZ/TestsAndTreatments/Procedures/Pages/Port-A-Cath-Insertion-Caring-for-Your-Child-at-Home-After-the-Procedure.aspx
• https://www.healthtap.com/#user_questions/39220-can-i-get-radiation-therapy-for-breast-cancer-if-i-have-a-port-a-cath-in-place
• http://www.ehow.com/facts_5656926_patient-information-portacath.html

Conclusion

All in all, it is highly unlikely that radiation will affect your portacath if your radiologist administers the treatments correctly. However, you should carefully monitor the insertion site of your portacath for two to four weeks after the completion of your radiation treatments. If you notice any redness, uncharacteristic soreness or swelling, contact you doctor as soon as possible.

Radiologists place portacaths on large veins such as the jugular and the brachial vein. Therefore, the chances of blood flow blockage and inflammation of blood vessels is very low. However, it is important to note that if you do not care for the insertion point of the portacath properly, it may develop an infection and consequently become painful.

With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to care for a portacath at home.

Tips

1. Always keep the insertion point covered: It is your responsibility to ensure the area where the portacath needle enters the skin is always covered and dry. After every treatment session, ensure that you replace the dressing covering the entry point of the portacath especially if it is wet. This will ensure that you do not get a bacterial infection.
2. Keep the portacath site clean: Ensure you always wash your hands thoroughly before you handle the portacath. In addition, you should clean the skin around the portacath entry point regularly using a sanitizer.
3. When accessing the portacath, keep the IV tubing clamped. This will ensure that air does not enter your bloodstream since this could lead blood clots and blockage that can be painful.
4. Always keep the ends (lumens) of the portacath capped. These lumens are important since they facilitate the process of administering medicine and fluids. Once this process is complete, cap the lumens to avoid the entry of germs into the portacath.

Warnings

1. Do not use unsterilized objects to touch the portacath insertion site.
2. Once a radiologist inserts the portacath, you may experience some soreness. However, you should contact your doctor immediately if the following symptoms persist for more than two days:
   • Redness
   • Tenderness
   • Swelling
   • Any unusual skin changes

Advice

If you want to avoid pain while using a portacath, observe the following:

• Do not engage in any strenuous physical activities for at least 7 days after the placement/insertion of a portacath.
• Ensure you keep your portacath clean by flushing/cleaning it with a saline solution after every treatment to avoid infections.

Citations

• http://lookingforcure.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=103:use-of-port-a-cath&catid=42:chemotherapy&Itemid=55
• http://www.baldisbetterwithearrings.com/2012/05/what-is-port-cath.html
• http://www.virginia.edu/uvaprint/HSC/pdf/14150.pdf

Conclusion

Under normal circumstances, it should not hurt to use a portacath. If you observe proper hygiene while handling a portacath, you are more likely to enjoy a safe and effective treatment method.

The Risks During a CVAD Implant

The portacath is inserted using a local anesthetic and sedation. There can be some discomfort and breakthrough pain during the insertion, but it is not common. Complication can occur from the anesthetic, sedation, and the procedure. This is unusual though and the risks of a portacath insertion are less than the risks of treatment without the port. Some of the risks during insertion of the CVAD implant include the following:

• Blood vessel injury
• Wound infection
• MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
• Bruising
• Haematoma formation
• Allergic reaction

Risks were more common before modern imaging. With modern imaging the interventional radiologist who performs the procedure can clearly see everything that is being done in real time. Proper aftercare of the portacath will reduce risks of infection and other complications.

Managing Risks of a Portacath After Insertion

The most common risk of having a port is getting an infection. This can occur during insertion, while healing, and during accessing the port. Following proper procedures for sanitizing will prevent infections from occurring during the surgery. Covering the port and good hygiene will reduce the risks of infections agerwards. Risks need to managed for successful use of the central venous access device. In addition to infection, some of the risks that will need to be managed include the following:

• Thrombosis-blood clots can permanently block the device; regular flushing of the port can prevent that from occurring. The frequency will depend on its use.
• Mechanical failure-this is really rare, when it does occur it may be from severe trauma to the body, like in a car accident.
• Age-for a port that is implanted for long term use on a child, the growth will need to monitored so that a larger port replaces one that is outgrown. This prevents displacement of the device.
• Pheumothorax-accumulation of air that can interfere with breathing, Proper insertion will prevent this risk.
• Arterial injury-if the artery is punctured the port may need to be placed in a new site. Using modern imagery and proper insertion will prevent this risk.

Preventing infections and other complications, along with managing risks will help prevent the device from needing to be removed or replaced. In the case of a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, managing the risk of infection will prevent this life threatening condition.

Portacath is a medical device placed under the skin to aid in accessing the bloodstream with ease. Doctors, usually, place it beneath the skin a few inches above the right nipple. A catheter links the device to the jugular or other primary veins that lead to the heart. Therefore, medications, transfusions, intravenous feeding and fluid withdrawal become a cinch.

Chemotherapy entails frequent intravenous supply of drugs to the patient by use of needles. This becomes excruciating to the patient who has to endure numerous jabs during each session. Physicians agonize over the risk of damage to the skin tissue and veins, posed by repeated injections. Thus, portacath placement is an apt discovery to aid in cancer treatment and management.

The benefits of a central venous access system

In view of its vital uses in today’s clinical setup include:

• The port minimizes risk of injury by quicker dilution of drugs inside the major veins.
• It permits for a specific spot whereby doctors can access the bloodstream directly every time.
• Medical practitioners find it simpler to locate blood vessels making treatment faster and more efficient.
• Scar tissue forms around the portacath septum with time. This makes injections less painful to the patient.
• It becomes more comfortable to feed patients on long-term care due to cancer intravenously.
• Blood tests and treatment analysis becomes less complicated due to faster access to the bloodstream via the port.

Patients experience a heightened sense of self-esteem, since portacath placement reduces needle scarring common among cancer patients.

Ports are quite popular in cancer management due to the benefits given above.

What to expect from the surgery

Portacath insertion involves a minor surgery done under local anesthesia and conscious sedation in most clinics.  Doctors normally attach the device underneath the skin below the chest or in the upper arm of the patient. Afterwards, there is little cause for concern because skin completely covers it. In fact, you would be able to wear open necked clothes and resume bathing or swimming without worrying about damage to the port. However, you might feel slight discomfort immediately after the surgery. Nonetheless, this is more bearable than the anguish of copious jabs required during cancer treatment and management. You may obtain over the counter painkillers such as Demerol to ease inflammation due to portacath placement surgery. Your doctor will provide you with a schedule for regular flushing of the portacath device. This prevents formation of blood clots that could clog the catheter inhibiting its functionality. Saline solution and heparin, an anti-coagulant are used for flushing the port regularly.

Portacath placement is a cutting-edge discovery in the medical field. Patients on long-term care due to cancer and other terminal illnesses no longer have to worry about painful injections. The risk of injuries or infections due to frequent syringe shots also reduces. Hence, the device offers relief to numerous patients who undergo intravenous treatment as part of long-term care.

Portacath Complications

Several Ways to Address Portacath Complications.

A portacath is used for administering medications, chemotherapy treatment, blood transfusions, blood products, nutrition, and fluids. The portacath is also used to draw blood and in dialysis treatment. There are more benefits to having a portacath than there are disadvantages.

What Are The Benefits

When a patent has a health condition that requires medication be administered through an IV regularly or must have frequent blood draws, a portacath is often inserted. The portacath benefits include the following:

• Almost painless
• Protects veins
• Remain in place for years
• Fewer sticks necessary
• Normal activity is not restricted

Chemotherapy treatment is among the treatments that are easier after a portacath is implanted.

Why Use A Portacath During Cancer Treatment

One of the portacath benefits for a cancer patient is that the portacath will prevent the chemotherapy medication from coming in contact with the skin and causing a burn. Since the immune system is compromised during treatment, the burns may become infected easily. Some cancer patients may need blood transfusion and a portacath will make it easier. Another benefit is that fluids and other medications can be administered more easily during chemo treatment. Patients receiving other types of treatment may also benefit from a portacath.

Other Treatment

Hematology patients must have frequent blood draws and transfusions so they also benefit from a portacath being implanted. Minimizing the sticks needed for treatment is one of the main portacath benefits. There is an increase use of portacaths for hemodialysis. Though there are many advantages, there are some disadvantages to using a portacath.

What About The Disadvantages

Usually the portacath will be inserted and used without incident. There may be surgery complication in a small percentage of patients. Other disadvantages to the portacath include the following:

• Blood clots
• Clogging of the port
• Regular flushing required
• Infection
• MRSA
• Failure of device to function

Proper maintenance and monitoring of the portacath will reduce the risks associated with the insertion and the use of the device. If the portacath gets a MRSA biofilm on the plastic components, it may need to be removed and replaced. If there is an infection, the lymph nodes near where the port is implanted may swell.

The portacath benefits outweigh the disadvantages in most cases so it is commonly used to make the treatment of cancer and blood related diseases less traumatic.

When a person needs a portacath it is because there is an existing medical condition that caused them to need the device. Often the existing health condition will cause them to be more susceptible to infection. Portacath infection risks can be managed by building up the immune system, proper hygiene, using sanitized equipment, and preventing contact with bacteria. Infections may or may not be serious.

Understanding Infection Related To The Portacath

An infection for a portacath can be a minor infection that involves some redness, it can be a serious infection like a staph infection, or it can be life threatening like a MRSA infection. A minor infection will remain on the surface, but more serious infections can travel along the catheter into the heart. The infections can occur from portacath use or portacath surgery.

Infection During Surgery

During surgery, a patient has a higher risk of acquiring an infection. With testing for colonization of bacteria and increased isolation of patients that are carriers of bacteria like Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), cases of infection are decreasing; it doesn’t mean that it has been eliminated, though. Before surgery, ask the doctor what will be done to prevent an infection during and after the procedure. He can also instruct you on infection prevention when the port is accessed.

Infection During Accessing

After healing is complete after a portacath has been implanted, the port will be used to access the vein to administer medication, blood products, fluids, and nutrients. It will also be used to draw blood for testing. During access it will be important to disinfect the area around where the puncture will occur and equipment used to be sanitized. Shared equipment should be avoided when possible. It is recommended the area be covered after access to avoid bacteria from the environment from entering the body through the break in the skin from the needle. The plastic parts of a portacath can develop a biofilm if bacteria are introduced during surgery or access.

Biofilms Infections

Biofilms develop on plastic that is part of prosthetic devices. When this occurs, often the device will need to be removed to remove bacteria that are imbedded in the plastic. When this happens with portacaths, the device will need to be removed and replaced.

Conclusion

Portacath infections will include symptoms similar to the flu with redness and inflammation around the area that is infected. A medical professional should be monitoring any signs of infection so it can be treated promptly.

Understanding The Basics

The portacath surgery is a short outpatient surgery. Usually the patient will just receive a local anesthetic and medication to help with relaxing for the surgery. Blood test will be done to rule out anemia and determine the blood’s clotting abilities. The following is commonly required before the surgery:

• No eating before the surgery
• Only clear liquids before surgery
• Arriving at the hospital a half hour or more before surgery
• Pre-surgery tests
• Restriction of any medication or anything that can interfere with blood clotting
• Restriction of supplements

Afterwards, there is a short recovery time. There may be some regional soreness and slight grogginess depending on what medication was administered during the procedure.

When there is portacath surgery to insert the device, there may be some anxiety. This can be relived by talking with your doctor. Talking with others who currently have one or had one in the past can be helpful in relieving concerns. You can contact them through your doctor, online forums, or through support groups to find out more about the portacath insertion and removal.

Insertion and Removal Surgery

The procedure to insert a portacath lasts from 30 minutes to an hour. The patient is prepped for the  surgery that takes place on an X-ray table. To insert the portacath, there is a small incision made in the chest and the catheter will go into one incision to be inserted in a vein. The other end will then go under the skin and into the other incision where it is connected to the port. The port is inserted in a pocket in the muscle. The may be pressure felt during the procedure, but no pain after the initial administration of a local anesthetic. The surgery to remove the portacath is similar to the insertion, except the incisions will be made to remove the device.

Within approximately 24 hours, normal activities will be able to be resumed. There are some risks to having a portacath and to having the outpatient surgery, but they are uncommon.

The Possible Risks

There are common surgery risks that include infection, soreness, and reaction to the medication administered during the procedure. Having a portacath may increase the risk of MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) because biofilms of bacteria may adhere to the plastics in the device. When this occurs, the device will need to be removed and replaced. If the area was not kept clean or contaminated equipment is used, there is an additional risk of infection occurring. There may be bleeding from the incision, soreness, muscle discomfort, bruising, vein damage, or redness. Building up your immune system before your surgery will lower the risks of infection.

The portacath surgery is fairly simple and will greatly reduce the discomfort of having medical procedures that include numerous needle sticks.

Doctors carry out certain routine preparations before actual catheterization of the patient. In case basic tests such as blood work, EKG, physicals and patients history are already in place, prepping will only take an hour or so. However, emergencies or need for further observation, may lead to delays before and after surgery.

Beginning With Surgery

Your medical history is vital before permacath insertion surgery. This is especially true for patients with blood related ailments such as diabetes. Such a patient should jot down all medicines, nutritional supplements, insulin doses, vitamins and herbal concoctions; they are currently taking. This information will assist the surgeon to be aware of any risks or complications that may occur, due to drug interactions during the procedure.

You should also adhere to the basic rules that apply for minor surgeries when going for permanent catheter insertion. Arrange for transport from the clinic, albeit you can drive yourself after a short respite. It is also advisable to have part-time help at home during the recovery period. When you head to the clinic or hospital for the procedure, wear comfortable clothing with minimal jewelry. Leave small kids at home under supervision of a nanny.

Surgeons normally perform permacath surgery under local anesthesia. You will disrobe from the waist up and put on a gown as per the hospitals house style. An attending nurse will attach electrodes and other equipment to examine heart rate and similar vital signs during the procedure. During the short surgery, you are required to sit down so that the doctor can access your back. The entire process takes between fifteen and forty-five minutes depending on the skills of the surgeon.

As mentioned before, the permanent catheter usually passes underneath your skin. This significantly reduces the chance of infections occurring, while ensuring that it remains intact for roughly a year without problems. You will feel a slight pressure on the neck when the physician inserts the catheter, albeit the procedure is relatively pain free.

After The Surgery

You can resume normal activities immediately after permacath insertion surgery. However, do not expose the area above the nipple line to water immediately after the procedure. Doctors forbid heavy lifting activities until healing takes place completely. Notify your doctor in case of the following symptoms:

• Fever and pain
• Fluid drainage at the catheter
• Redness and itchiness around the wound
• Continuous bleeding

Nevertheless, side effects are rare and patients continue with their routine dialysis treatments after a week or so. The indwelling catheter stays in your body until doctors recommend dialysis cessation. Always cover the area around its entrance with cotton gauze when taking a bathe to prevent the risk of infections.

Patients on dialysis know how the procedure can get uncomfortable with time. The risk of peritonitis and skin infections is always present. Nevertheless, there are ways to circumvent risks and have stress free, painless dialysis. This entails the permacath insertion procedure explained in the article above.

Portacath Catheter

Understand the Portacath Catheter.

Portacath manufacturers create this device using several materials. These materials are plastic, titanium or stainless steel. The portacath can be made with one or two chambers and may vary in height. Another term used to identify this device is central venous access devices, or CVAD.

Top Manufacturers

There are several top portacath manufacturers of this medical device. They are the following:

1. Bard Access Systems
2. Navilyst Medical
3. Smiths Medical
4. MedComp
5. AngioDynamics

Additional Manufacturer Information

These companies are in the top ten in the list of developers. Following is some additional information about each company for your information.

1. Bard Access Systems: is a mid-sized company located in Salt Lake City, Utah with over 500 employees. Created for use by various practitioners and other medical facilities, they make six different power injectable portacaths and fifteen different non-power injectable devices. They manufacture the needles to use with them as well.
2. Navilyst Medical: is a privately held company with over 800 full-time employees. This company was founded in 2008 and is based in Glens Falls, NY. They also have global partners for the manufacture and development of medical devices.
3. Smiths Medical: is another company that manufacturers these devices. They offer twelve different devices. Their products cover the spectrum of medical service for hospitals, emergency rooms, home and other specialist environments. It is a large company, with subsidiaries, employing over 7500 people. They provide equipment, service and expertise in the use and maintenance of their devices.
4. MedComp: founded in 1978, it is a portacath developer and considers the patient as the primary focus. One size does not fit everyone and using this focus, make several devices to make sure that clinical demands are covered in the area of access devices. Engineers work with preeminent doctors to devise products to service the medical field.
5. AngioDynamics: is a known leader in the manufacturer of medical devices. Based in Queens, NY and founded in 1988, they are one of the top providers. One area of focus for this company is on bringing new and innovative technology in this area. Their objective is to improve patient care with faster recovery.

Portacath Development

These companies are some of the top in the field of portacath manufacturers. The focus these companies have is to develop devices for ultimate patient care and recovery. They provide support and education in the use and maintenance of their equipment. Each company has specific elements directly related to their devices that are exclusive. However, the device itself has standard elements that are required for use in the medical field. Any specific information can be obtained from direct contact with each company.

It should be noted that questions that deal with the medical functions and specific aspects should be directed to the manufacturer. Each company has a website and lists products manufactured. Portacath manufacturers hold an important place in the area of patient care and recovery.