Port-A-Cath: A Real-Life Study in Patients Receiving Chemotherapy
Authors: Dr. Mohammad Shahriar Faisal, Prof. Qamruzzaman Chowdhury, Dr. Ferdous Ara Begum, Dr. Ayasha Shiddika,Dr. Md. Arifur Rahman,
Institution: Bangladesh Specialized Hospital PLC
Introduction
Background: Chemotherapy delivered via Peripheral Venous Access (PVA) is associated with significant complications, including pain, swelling, and phlebitis. The Port-A-Cath (PAC) offers improved venous access and patient mobility during treatment. Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy, safety, and quality-of-life impact of PAC in chemotherapy patients, comparing it with the traditional PVA method.
Methods
This was a single-centre, prospective cohort study conducted at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital between 2019 and 2023. Fifty-four patients who had initially received chemotherapy through PVA and subsequently transitioned to PAC were enrolled. For each patient, outcomes recorded during the PVA period served as the within-patient comparator for outcomes recorded after PAC insertion.
Results
A single-centre, prospective cohort study was conducted at Bangladesh Specialized Hospital between 2019 and 2023, including 54 patients previously treated with PVA who subsequently transitioned to PAC. Pain and anxiety were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Modified Facial Anxiety Scale (M-FAS), respectively. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a structured 5-point Likert-scale questionnaire administered at the end of the chemotherapy regimen. Paired t-tests were used to compare outcomes between PVA and PAC, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 49.7 years (SD 13.9) (M:F ratio = 1:1.7). During PVA use, patients underwent an average of 4.23 chemotherapy cycles (SD = 5.31) with a mean pain score of 4.0 (SD = 1.25); 64% reported moderate anxiety (M-FAS ≥4), and complications (chiefly phlebitis and extravasation) occurred in 64% of cases. After transition to PAC, the average number of cycles increased to 12 (SD = 7.85), the mean pain score fell to 1.4 (SD = 0.9), 80% of patients reported mild or no anxiety, and only 9.3% (5/54) experienced complications, mainly catheter-related infection. Statistically significant improvements were observed for pain (p = 0.002), anxiety (p = 0.004), and mobility restriction (p = 0.001). Unrestricted mobility was reported by 100% of patients with PAC compared with 50% during PVA use, and 92.6% of patients reported satisfaction with PAC.
Conclusion
Compared with PVA, PAC was associated with superior safety, efficacy, and patient comfort, with significant reductions in pain, anxiety, and mobility restriction during chemotherapy.