Did You or a Loved One Become Seriously Ill or Injured from Receiving a Defective Implanted Port Catheter?
If you or a loved one has been injured due to an implanted port injury, you may be able entitled to financial compensation for any negligence that contributed to the implanted port injury. Call our experienced team of implanted port injury lawyers pursuing Bard and other defendants to discuss your case to see if your case qualifies.
What is a Bard Implanted Port?
The Bard PowerPort, also known as the PowerPort M.R.I. Implantable Port, is specifically engineered to withstand higher injection pressure, making it an optimal choice for the rapid administration of fluids. It is designed to assist medical professionals in detecting new tumors by minimizing artifacts that may appear on MRI scans when using a normal port device.
The manufacturer Bard Access Systems, Inc., of the port catheter device, is currently facing legal action due to the device’s high risk of complications. In the event of a fractured catheter, internal damage may occur, which often requires emergency surgery to remove any fragments and treat the affected tissue. Several symptoms associated with such complications include:
Cracks in the catheter allow bacteria and other pathogens to infiltrate the surrounding tissue leading to severe infections that the body’s immune cells may struggle to combat. Treatment options may include antibiotics or removal of the device. Other symptoms include:
- Lacerations to blood vessels
- Tissue necrosis around the port
- Blood clots
- Pulmonary embolisms
- Hematomas
- Cardiac punctures
Bard Port Catheter Complications
Both the SlimPort and the PowerPort models have been associated with a higher risk of catheter failure compared to other models. In particular, the tube within the vein can degrade, leading to injection issues, fractures, and migration.
The PowerPort has faced reports for its tendency to degrade rapidly due to flex fatigue. This can result in the catheter breaking off into shards while still inside the vein. Consequently, these small fragments may travel through the circulatory system, giving rise to severe complications.
Implanted port devices, also known as port catheters or port-a-caths, consist of a tunneled line and an injection port, interconnected beneath the skin. The tunneled catheter is a lengthy tube, with one end positioned near the heart and the other connected to an implantable port located beneath the skin on the upper chest or arm.
Port-a-caths provide a valuable solution for efficient and convenient access to the vascular system, enhancing the patient experience and facilitating various treatment modalities.
Catheter Migration
Although rare, there is a possibility for the catheter to become fully dislodged and migrate to other areas of the body. When this occurs, it can pose potential risks and lead to serious injuries. It is important to note that while the dislodgement of the catheter may be easier to detect and treat compared to other complications, it still necessitates prompt medical attention.
In such cases, antibiotics may be necessary to address the infection, and in some instances, removal of the device may be required.
If left untreated, a catheter infection can escalate and become life-threatening, leading to various injuries including:
- Swelling, redness, and soreness of the area surrounding the PowerPort
- Blood infections that can lead to systemic symptoms and complications throughout the body.
- Necrosis of the tissues near the PowerPort
- Sepsis that can result in organ dysfunction and failure.
Do I Have a Bard Implanted Port Catheter Lawsuit?
Monge & Associates Injury & Accident Attorneys are dedicated to helping people in all 50 states who have been harmed and injured by Bard PowerPort. 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.
If you or someone you know has been injured by PowerPort or Implantable Port products, contact our firm for a free case evaluations at 888-477-1808 or complete an online form to find out. Our team of defective product lawyers in Georgia are here to help.