AngioDynamics Port: Safety Risks and Side Effects

Medical providers use the AngioDynamics port to deliver medications and fluids, draw blood or deliver contrast fluid for CT scans. Other fluids may include chemotherapy drugs or nutrition.

AngioDynamics markets its flagship port catheters under the SmartPort brand. Each model has different specifications.

Other ports manufactured by AngioDynamics include: Vortex Port Catheter, BioFlo Port Catheter and Xcela Plus Port Catheter.

Doctors insert the port in the chest or arm through small incisions under general anesthesia. The port is connected to a catheter that doctors insert into the patient’s vein. It takes about one to two weeks to recover from the procedure.

To deliver medication or draw blood, medical providers insert a needle into the port. This avoids having to insert a needle into the patient’s arm to access a vein.

The most common risks of AngioDynamics ports include blocked catheters, blood clots, infections and medications leaking into the tissue surrounding the port.

The frequency of these problems varies depending on the patient, doctor and model. A 2022 study in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science found a 10.5% complication rate from 807 implanted port catheters, including AngioDynamics SmartPorts. Complications included blood clots, mechanical failures and infections.

While some problems occurred right away, about 70% happened more than a month after the ports were implanted.

Patients who experience any of these problems or other unusual symptoms should tell their medical provider right away. If you have symptoms of a heart attack, such as shortness of breath and persistent chest pain, seek emergency medical attention.

Other symptoms to watch for include swelling or pain in the shoulder, neck or arm; pain and redness around the port site; fever or fluid drainage from the port site; or a burning sensation during medication delivery into the port.

These symptoms could signal a problem with the port and should be reported to a medical provider right away.

If the AngioDynamics port catheter breaks or fractures, it can cause serious complications, some of which are fatal. Some patients with fractured port catheters required additional surgery to remove the defective device.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s MAUDE Adverse Event Report collects data on defective devices and side effects. In one report for AngioDynamics SmartPort, a patient began experiencing chest discomfort and pain. The next day, the patient went to receive an infusion at a cancer center, but the nurse wasn’t able to draw blood from the port. An X-ray revealed that a portion of the tubing had broken off and lodged in the patient’s heart. She had to have emergency removal of the tubing.

Reports of catheter fractures and injuries have led to AngioDynamics SmartPort lawsuits. The lawsuits claim the catheters were manufactured with too much barium sulfate, making them more likely to fracture and degrade, causing injuries.

Some problems, such as catheter fractures and infections, are similar to those mentioned in Bard PowerPort lawsuits.

Yes, there have been AngioDynamics SmartPort recalls, but they have not been related to device fractures.

In August 2011, AngioDynamics recalled 1,095 SmartPort CTs because they could have contained the wrong catheter and introducer size. In February 2021, AngioDynamics recalled 267 SmartPort CT catheter kits because of packaging problems that could cause sterility issues.

You can avoid AngioDynamics port problems by keeping the port area clean and having your port inspected regularly by your medical provider. Regular port inspections can catch problems earlier and help avoid more serious complications.

You should be able to resume most activities after your port incision heals. Make sure you check with your medical provider before participating in high-impact activities or rough sports like football.