Predictors of bloodstream infection associated with permanently implantable venous port in solid cancer patients

Background: The purpose of this study is to characterize the risk factors of bloodstream infection (BSI) associated with the use of permanent implantable venous ports (Port-A) in solid cancer patients. Methods: Solid cancer patients implanted with a Port-A were prospectively observed for the occurrence of Port-A-associated BSI (PABSI), defined as BSI without other identifiable infection foci. A PABSI risk score was developed using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: A total of 415 patients were registered; 88 PABSI episodes occurred in 58 patients (incidence1.05 per 1000 catheter-days). All but one patient had stage IV cancer. Independent predictors of PABSI occurrence included neutropenia, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), chronic steroid use, invasive procedures, postoperative antibiotics, and preoperative antibiotics. A PABSI risk score with a cut-off value of 0 (sensitivity 88.5%, specificity 64.3%) was defined for stage IV cancer patients as follows: neutropenia, +1.350; TPN, +1.256; chronic steroid use, +1.947; preoperative antibiotics, -0.970; postoperative antibiotics, +0.959; and invasive procedures, +1.098. The median PABSI-free survival was 4.47 months for patients with scores ?0 but not reached for patients with scores <0 (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: The PABSI risk score can assist in identifying high-risk solid cancer patients and may assist in designing future preventive strategies. ? The Author 2012. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved.