Hi All,
Just back from surgery to have my port re-positioned, due to "Pinch-Off Syndrome". Last August-September had my original port replaced (in-dwelling subclavical) due to total occlusion, then went in a few weeks later for retrieval of catheter fragment from heart. The old catheter (which had been in place for 2 1/2 years) had also exhibited symptoms of "pinch-off syndrom"; it would not draw or infuse very easily depending on my position in the chair, as it was being pinched between the clavical and rib. This led to a portion of the catheter wearing through and breaking off, then migrating to my heart chamber where it was successfully retrieved via an angioplasty type procedure. The new port/catheter is still positioned subclavical, but the catheter was tunneled over to a vein next to the shoulder and inserted there, thereby bypassing that pesky clavical/rib juncture.
If anyone has experienced this syndrome, talk to your nurse and doctor about it; it is very simple to have the catheter repositioned to avoid the possible complications of catheter fracture!
Hugs,
Lolly