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Implementation and 2‐year outcomes of the first FDA‐approved implantable apheresis vascular access device
Author(s) -
Gray Kristin L.,
Steidley Isabella G.,
Benson Hollie L.,
Pearce Christine L.,
Bachman Amy M.,
Adamski Jill
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.15512
Subject(s) - apheresis , medicine , venous access , surgery , intensive care medicine , catheter , platelet
BACKGROUND Patients requiring chronic apheresis treatments typically lack sufficient peripheral venous access to support long‐term therapy. Historically, central venous tunneled catheters, septum‐bearing subcutaneous ports, and fistulas were used to obtain required blood flow rates for apheresis procedures. In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the first intravascular device specifically designed for apheresis therapy, the PowerFlow Implantable Apheresis IV Port. METHODS Several preimplementation meetings with key hospital stakeholders were held to determine the most efficient and safest strategy for integrating the PowerFlow device into our practice. Interventional radiologists implanted the apheresis port in patients meeting specified criteria. Performance metrics and adverse events were evaluated over a 2‐year period, July 2017 through June 2019. RESULTS Eighteen patients underwent apheresis therapy using the PowerFlow port. The most common apheresis therapy provided was extracorporeal photopheresis, followed by therapeutic plasma exchange and low‐density lipoprotein apheresis. Flow rates up to 90 mL/min were obtained; the rates were limited by patient tolerance for the apheresis procedure. Complications included infection, obstruction due to fibroblastic sleeve, and migration of the vascular device. The estimated risk of PowerFlow‐associated bloodstream infection in the study population was 0.18 per 1000 intravascular device days. CONCLUSION The PowerFlow Implantable Apheresis IV Port can achieve flow rates necessary for all apheresis therapies and is a promising alternative vascular access device for patients undergoing apheresis.