Port catheters are implanted to give patients reliable long-term access to the bloodstream for chemotherapy, medications, and nutritional support. When they fail, the consequences can range from painful and disruptive to genuinely life-threatening.
Catheter fracture is among the most serious complications alleged in ongoing litigation. A cracked or broken catheter can shed fragments into the bloodstream that migrate toward the heart, lungs, or major blood vessels, leading to:
Port catheters carry a documented risk of blood clots that can lead to deep vein thrombosis, venous obstruction, or pulmonary embolism if a clot travels to the lungs. Infection is an ongoing concern as well, given that ports access the bloodstream directly. What starts as a localized infection can turn into sepsis, a serious medical emergency with the potential for organ failure. Patients on chemotherapy or immunosuppressive therapy are at especially high risk.
Additional complications can include:
For cancer patients who need uninterrupted venous access, a device failure can throw treatment off course in ways that matter enormously. Many lawsuits against Bard over the PowerPort allege that the complications patients faced were rooted in design defects, material failures, or inadequate warnings from the manufacturer.
If you suffered serious health problems after a port catheter failure, you may be entitled to compensation from the manufacturer responsible for your injuries. If you think you may have a claim, our team can help. With over 35 years of experience in defective medical device litigation, we can review your records and tell you where you stand. Contact Atraxia Law today to get started.