Comparative Study of Valved and Nonvalved Fully Implantable Catheters Inserted Via Ultrasound-Guided Puncture for Chemotherapy

Abstract

Fully implantable catheters are important for oncology treatments. They can be functionally categorized as valved or nonvalved. Theoretically, a valve prevents spontaneous blood reflux into the catheter, reducing the incidence of complications. We sought to compare the results from the implantation of valved and nonvalved fully implantable 8-French catheters inserted via ultrasound-guided puncture in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. A retrospective analysis of 100 patients who underwent long-term catheter implantation guided by ultrasound was performed looking for early (≤30 days) or late (≥90 days) complications. They were evaluated regarding the use of valved or nonvalved catheter and assessed on univariate model. The only early complication (hematoma) was identified in the valved group. Twenty-two late complications were identified (72.72% in the valved group and 27.27% in the nonvalved group; P = 0.009). Blood reflux dysfunction, which occurred in 12 patients in the valved and none in the nonvalved devices group, was the only complication with an incidence that was significantly different between the groups. Fully implantable valved catheters with Groshong (Bard Medical Division, Covington, GA) valves have a higher rate of blood reflux dysfunction compared with nonvalved catheters, but this did not interfere with the efficacy of the treatment.