Hi Jody, You had asked about greater risk of infection with a port. I believe statistically there is a greater risk of infection with any venal access device such as a picc line or port-a-cath than no device.
That being said, when the veins in my husband's arms became weakened, his family doctor and hematologist recommended the port-a-cath. He is quite neutropenic. One of the selling points for the port-a-cath is that there is considered to be a lesser risk of infection for it than a picc line. And once implanted, it can remain in place for quite a while (several years).
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Catherine, wife of Bruce age 75; diagnosed 6/10/11 with macrocytic anemia, neutropenia and mild thrombocytopenia; BMB suggesting emerging MDS. Copper deficient. Currently receiving procrit and neuopogen injections weekly, B12 dermal cream and injections, Transfusions ~ 5 weeks.
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