Abstract: Objective: This prospective study investigated device-related complications of arm port implanted in the upper arm of the patients with breast cancer. Methods: Between May 2016 and September 2019, 770 women with breast cancer who received chemotherapy and implanted a arm port in the upper arm were included. Device-related complications were collected and influencing factors were analyzed for major complications. Results: The incidence of complications in 770 patients with arm port was 34, and the rate of complications was 0.218‰ catheter-days. Among them, venous catheter-related infection and catheter-related thrombosis were the most common complications, occurring in 13 and 8, respectively. Other complications were arrhythmia, catheter shift, tube blockage, and persistent pain. Patients with higher Body Mass Index(BMI) and longer implantation times had significantly higher rate of infection and venous thrombosis (P<0.05). Patient's TNM staging affected infection (P<0.05). Conclusion: The technique of arm port is safe and feasible, with a low rate of complications. For breast cancer patients, arm port is a better tool for intravenous chemotherapy.

Key words: breast cancer; arm port; safety; complications