BACKGROUND We assessed longevity and complications of totally implantable venous access devices in oncology patients. METHODS 197 patients received a total of 201 port devices via the subclavian vein for delivery of chemotherapy between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2006. We reviewed the patient charts for port-related complications and risk factors until July 31, 2007. RESULTS A total ...

INTRODUCTION The cannulation of suitable peripheral veins may be a very painful experience. Implantable venous access systems have to some degree relieved this problem and help to provide an improvement in terms of quality of life. MATERIAL AND METHODS We have evaluated 560 patients during a follow up period of two years. A low overall complication percentage of 7.32% was seen when using the ...

INTRODUCTION The objective of this study is to test the null hypothesis that an S-shaped surgical incision versus conventional (straight) skin incision in the creation of autogenous radiocephalic arteriovenous fistulas (RCAVFs) have no impact on the primary end-point of primary functional maturation and secondary end points of stenosis and thrombosis. METHODS A prospective observational compa...

BACKGROUND Cephalic vein (CV) cutdown approach for chronic indwelling central venous access device (CICVAD) placement has previously been shown to be technically feasible in 82% of cancer patients. No data are available as to the potential utilization of external jugular vein (EJV) cutdown approach in cancer patients when CV cutdown approach is not technically feasible. PATIENTS AND METHODS O...

This study was designed to evaluate the implantation of internal cardioverter/defibrillators under local anaesthesia by electrophysiologists and to compare this to our former experience of implants with general anaesthesia. Forty-seven internal cardioverter/defibrillators were implanted at our institution by electrophysiologists. Twenty-nine operations were performed under general anaesthesia (...

OBJECTIVES The purpose was to test the durability of the use of the unobstructed popliteal or tibial arteries as alternative inflow sources. MATERIALS We examined 106 such bypasses performed during a 12 year period (1981-93). The indication for surgery was limb salvage in 99.1%. Seventy-five percent of the patients were male, 78% were diabetic and the average age was 59.6 years. The inflow so...

INTRODUCTION Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare endothelial tumor with an intermediate grade of malignancy. Few cases of primary vascular hemangioendothelioma have been described in the literature. Surgery is the treatment of choice, but radiation therapy and chemotherapy should also be considered in particular cases. CASE PRESENTATION We present the case of a 44-year-old Caucas...

OBJECTIVE To determine whether canine plasma von Willebrand factor (vWf) varies between and within individuals over time and with different blood sample collection and processing procedures. ANIMALS 26 adult dogs and 6 pups. PROCEDURE Blood was obtained from the jugular or cephalic vein daily for 8 to 19 days and weekly for 9 to 23 weeks in adult dogs and periodically up to 180 days of age ...