Intravenous port-a-cath in clinical practice

Overview

Intravenous port-a-caths are being used more and more frequently in patients treated with chemotherapy, who are indicated for home parenteral nutrition, and in patients requiring repeated urgent intravenous drug application. A significant increase in the number of patients requiring implantation of an intravenous porta-cath is to be expected in the Czech Republic in the near future. Therefore all general practitioners and nurses should be made familiar with intravenous drug applications via port-a-caths as well as with the appropriate care required.

Key words:
intravenous port-a-cath, chemotherapy, emergency situation, general practitioner.