Variations
There are many different types of portacaths. The particular type selected is based on the patient's specific medical conditions.
Portals:
- can be made of plastic, stainless steel, or titanium
- can be single chamber or dual chamber
- vary in height (although the base is about the size of a quarter)
Catheters:
- can be made of biocompatible, medical-grade polyurethane or silicone
- can vary in length (cm)
- can vary in diameter (mm)
Portacaths can be put in the upper chest or arm. The exact positioning itself is variable as it can be inserted to avoid visibility when wearing low cut shirts, and to avoid excess contact due to a backpack or bra strap. The most common placement is on the upper right portion of the chest, with the catheter itself looping through the right subclavian vein down towards the patient's heart. It can also be situated on the muscle that sits on the ribs with the tube coming up towards the heart.
Read more about this topic: Port (medical)
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