Totally Implantable Venous Access Devices and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: A Single Center Experience.

BACKGROUND

Newly approved intravenous therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) have led to unique challenges. Totally implantable venous access ports can be utilized to provide stable intravascular access but can be associated with procedural complications and long-term issues.

METHODS

Patients with DMD who underwent port placement between 2016 and 2024 were analyzed through chart review.

RESULTS

Thirty DMD patients with a total of 46 ports were identified. Twenty-one (70%) patients experienced at least one long-term complication, the most common being port malfunction in 11 (37%) patients. There were no procedural complications, but one patient experienced rhabdomyolysis 2 days after placement.

CONCLUSIONS

We found that surgical placement of ports was safe in our patients with DMD but requires specific monitoring.