Long term venous access using a totally implantable drug delivery system in patients with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis.

A completely implantable, subcutaneous, venous access system (Port-a-Cath) has been used for antibiotic therapy in 26 patients with cystic fibrosis or bronchiectasis over a period of 45 months. During this period there were ten complications in eight patients and in four patients all or part of the system had to be replaced. Nevertheless, the actuarial median functional survival of the implanted system exceeded 30 months. The Port-a-Cath system provides longer periods of venous access and has a lower complication rate than conventional, percutaneous central venous lines.