It’s unfortunate when medical devices aimed at treating a health condition aggravate patient health. That’s the issue with venous port catheters.
The device gets implanted in patients who need to receive frequent drug injections. Moreover, chemo ports, such as the Bard PowerPort manufactured using polyurethane, are less durable compared to silicone ones.
The Frontiers in Oncology medical journal recently published its findings on this subject. The medical journal asserted that the port catheter material determines the longevity of the catheter and infection risks.
Hence, it’s no wonder that the number of Bard PowerPort lawsuits has increased. The main issues reported were device migration and infections.
In this article, we will shed light on why patients should refrain from using polyurethane chemo ports.
The Lawsuit Concerns with Bard PowerPort
In April 2024, AboutLawsuits.com reported 115 complaints filed against Bard PowerPort. The allegations mostly revolve around blood clots and fatal infections. It also mentions fatal complications after the catheter material was tainted and failed. Lawyers for plaintiffs suggested that over 2,000 legal complaints might just get filed because of the device failure.
So, if you have been affected after using this device, you can also file your port catheter lawsuit and seek compensation. That way, your case will get added to the existing pool of suits. It will also help to raise awareness concerning the issue and urge manufacturers to take proactive action.
With the Bard PowerPort, the manufacturer had marketed and promoted the device as safe and useful. While that proved to be true for certain cases, other patients started noticing the defects. Hence, the lawsuits allege that C.R. Bard Inc. should have been aware of this and alerted both users and the medical community.
The manufacturer should have mentioned that the polyurethane chemo port is prone to deterioration over time. As a result, it might cause the development of bacteria or cause very small pieces to break off, causing infections and pulmonary embolism. Some patients might also witness device failure and need revision surgery to correct it.
A team of researchers studied data on close to 383 pediatric patients who received treatment at the ‘Department of Pediatric Surgery, Traumatology, and Urology’ in Poznan. It was between the years 2013 and 2020.
All the pediatric patients underwent close to 474 port implantations at the same time. About 90% received chemotherapy, and the remaining 10% received non-cancer treatments.
The Complications of Bard PowerPort
The set of common complications noticed includes:
- Venous catheter obstruction
- Infections
- Port pocket hematoma
- Pneumothorax
- Port system leakage
All these risks were considerably higher based on the surgery that was used for implanting the devices. Also, it depended on the composition of the implants.
The researchers shared that kids with NHL (non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia received medicine through the port. Naturally, they also developed infections.
As a result, the researchers concluded that polyurethane catheters had less longevity.
They further added that the Bard PowerPort implants could fail 1.7 times earlier compared to silicone catheters.
Other Complications
When patients receive medicine passing through this chemo port, the design increases the injection flow. It develops pressure right against the plastic tubing. This tubing made of barium sulfate can fracture and result in bacterial buildup inside the small crack.
The pressure can release the plastic fragments into a patient’s bloodstream, which can cause:
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Infection
- Ruptured blood vessels
- Heart punctures
- Fever
- Confusion
- Port site drainage
- Difficulty breathing
Filing a Bard PowerPort Lawsuit
According to a Drugwatch report, in June 2024, there were nearly 232 active lawsuits at the Arizona MDL under Judge David G. Campbell. There are law firms that are accepting Bard PowerPort lawsuits and trying to help victims get justice and compensation.
TorHoerman Law states that if anyone has been affected by this chemo port, they must consult a lawyer. These attorneys will assess your case and determine if you qualify for a lawsuit. Also, patients should adhere to the deadline to file complaints on this port catheter device. It’s known as the statute of limitations, and your lawyer will update you on it.
In simple terms, the statute of limitations varies based on the state you reside. When you file your lawsuit before the deadline, you have a good chance of getting fair compensation. Your lawyer will let you know about the settlement payout, which is case-specific and depends on your suffering and loss.
All in all, the Bard PowerPort, made up of polyurethane, can get damaged fast and lead to severe health complications in patients. Hence, it is necessary to ask your healthcare provider about the device before getting it implanted. If you aren’t convinced by what the doctor has to say, ask for another option.
However, if you have been already affected because of chemo port migration and other infections, seek both medical and legal aid.
