What is a Bard Implanted Port?
The Bard PowerPort, or sometimes known as the PowerPort M.R.I. Implantable Port, can withstand higher injection pressure, making it ideal for fluids that require rapid injection. It is also designed to help doctors spot new tumors, as it reduces related artifacts that can show up on an MRI machine with a normal port device.
But its manufacturer, Bard Access Systems, Inc., is facing lawsuits due to this port catheter device carrying a high risk of complications. A fractured catheter can cause internal damage and often requires emergency surgery to remove pieces and treat affected tissue. Other symptoms include:
When a catheter begins to degrade, it can lead to cracks forming, which can let in bacteria and other pathogens that can lead to an infection in the surrounding tissue. Some of these pathogens are too small for the body’s immune cells, leading to severe infections which the body will struggle to fight. Antibiotics may be necessary, or removal of the device. Other symptoms can include:
- Lacerations to blood vessels
- Necrosis of the tissues around the port
- Blood clots
- Pulmonary embolisms
- Hematoma
- Cardiac punctures
Bard Port Catheter Complications
The SlimPort and the PowerPort both appear to have a higher risk of catheter failure than other models. The tube in the vein can degrade, resulting in injection, fracture, and migration.
The PowerPort has also been criticized for degrading quickly due to flex fatigue. This results in shards of the catheter to break off while it is in the vein, and thus small fragments of the catheter can travel throughout the circulatory system, leading to serious complications.
A port catheter, also referred to as an implanted port device or port-a-cath, is made up of a tunneled line and an injection port, which are connected beneath the skin. The tunneled catheter is a long tube, with one end near the heart, and the other connected to an implantable port under the skin of either the upper chest or the arm.
Port-a-caths provide medical professionals with easy access to the vascular system; it allows them to administer medicine or chemotherapy into a vein or take blood without the use of needles. People can go to and from the hospital with these devices left in, which can stay in for weeks, months, or even longer. It also allows for more than one treatment to be administered at one time or a single treatment that lasts longer than a day.
Catheter Migration
Sometimes the catheter can become completely dislodged and move to other parts of the body. This is rare and is often easier to find and treat. However, it does have the potential to cause serious injuries. If the dislodged catheter travels to vital organs, it could require emergency surgery.
When a catheter begins to degrade, it can lead to cracks that let in bacteria and other pathogens that can lead to an infection in the surrounding tissue. Some of these pathogens are too small for the body’s immune cells, leading to severe infections which the body will struggle to fight. Antibiotics may be necessary, or removal of the device.
If left untreated, a catheter infection can become life-threatening, leading to injuries such as:
- Swelling, redness, and soreness of the site around the PowerPort.
- Blood infections.
- Necrosis of the tissues close to the PowerPort.
- Sepsis.
Do I Have a Bard Implanted Port Catheter Lawsuit?
Langdon & Emison is accepting Bard PowerPort injury cases in all 50 states. Bard was made aware of thousands of victims of their products but opted not to fix the problem, arguing that any complications are due to physician error. However, considering the number of victims, it appears that injuries are a direct result of the product itself.
We will review your potential claim at no cost or obligation to you. If you or someone you know has been injured by PowerPort or Implantable Port products, contact our firm for a free consultation at 866-931-2115 or complete an online form.
