What does this research mean for the field?

Reusing dormant central venous access devices without verifying catheter integrity can lead to severe complications, including cardiac tamponade. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.NOVEL_FINDING. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This case aims to illustrate the potential severe complications associated with long-term use of implantable ports.

January 16, 2026Clinical Case Reports0 citationsOpen Access

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A Rare but Severe Long‐Term Complication of an Implantable Chamber

RGRaphael GrolleauInserm ABAgathe BraultInstitut National de la Recherche Agronomique MRMarie‐Laure RabilloudCentre hospitalier Bretagne Atlantique

Key Result

Long-term implantable ports can cause delayed mechanical erosion leading to pericardial effusion and life-threatening cardiac tamponade, necessitating catheter verification before reuse.

Key Points

This case aims to illustrate the potential severe complications associated with long-term use of implantable ports.
Examination of a case with a dormant central venous access device.
Verification of catheter integrity and tip position before reuse.
Monitoring for signs of mechanical erosion.
The case presented a severe complication years after port placement.
Delayed mechanical erosion caused pericardial effusion.
Cardiac tamponade was identified as a life-threatening condition.

Structured PICO

Population

1 patient with an implantable central venous access device (port-a-cath) placed in 2008 for severe malnutrition, reused in 2024 for colorectal cancer chemotherapy

Intervention

Surgical removal of the implantable CVAD through sternotomy, followed by suturing of the pericardium

Outcome

Resolution of pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade

This case demonstrates that dormant long-term implantable central venous access devices can cause delayed mechanical erosion and life-threatening cardiac tamponade, emphasizing the need to verify catheter integrity before reuse.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

ABSTRACT Long‐term implantable ports may cause severe complications even years after placement. This case highlights the importance of verifying catheter integrity and tip position before reusing a dormant central venous access device, as delayed mechanical erosion can lead to pericardial effusion and life‐threatening cardiac tamponade.

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A Rare but Severe Long‐Term Complication of an Implantable Chamber

Key Result

Key Points

Structured PICO

Main Result

Abstract

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