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Background We aimed to evaluate the long-term complication profile associated with port-a-catheter placement. Methods Patients undergoing port-a-catheter placement from 2007 to 2012 with 5-year follow up were identified. Descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and multivariate regression models were analyzed. Results Any complication occurring within 5 years postoperatively was common (59.04%, n = 53,353). Arrhythmogenic (32.66%, n = 30,625) and thrombovascular (36.80%, n = 34,499) complications were more common than infection (17.86%, n = 16,745) and mechanical (10.31%, n = 9,670) complications. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that history of atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for developing any complication (odds ratio 7.99, 95% confidence interval 7.29–8.77). Conclusion Patients with history of atrial fibrillation have increased odds of developing infectious, thrombovascular, mechanical, and arrhythmogenic complications with port-a-catheter placement. This study is the first to show that postprocedure arrhythmias occur at significant rates within the 5-year follow-up period. We caution that development of new arrhythmia should be monitored throughout a prolonged follow-up period. We hope our analysis encourages multidisciplinary coordination of patients with ports so that implants are promptly removed when they are no longer needed to avoid these complications., Highlights • New arrhythmia development is not just an acute phase complication. • Arrhythmogenic events are common and can occur at rates of 32.66%. • Atrial fibrillation patients are 7.98 times more likely to develop any complication.

Background In the United States, few high-quality manuscripts have directly compared the complication profiles of percutaneous endoscopic versus fluoroscopic gastrostomy. Thus, it is our goal to compare these 2 common procedures to better understand their efficacy and complication profiles. Materials and Methods A retrospective analysis of patient records from Medicare parts A/B from 2007 to 2012 was used to identify percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy procedures. Patient demographics were stratified by age, sex, comorbidities, and complications. Results A total of 258,641 patients were found to have either percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy (26,477, 10.2%) or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (232,164, 89.8%). Percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy experienced greater rates for all complications queried. Multivariate analysis revealed that the percutaneous fluoroscopic gastrostomy cohort had statistically significant increased odds for short-term complications, such as ileus (odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.22–1.54), mechanical (odds ratio 2.4, 95% confidence interval 2.28–2.58), wound infection (odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.24–1.52), persistent fistula after tube removal (odds ratio 1.9, 95% confidence interval 1.78–2.12), and other complications (odds ratio 2.2, 95% confidence interval 2.03–2.37), and long-term complications, including abdominal wall pain (odds ratio 1.4, 95% confidence interval 1.33–1.44), wound infection (odds ratio 1.1, 95% confidence interval 1.01–1.15), and persistent fistula after tube removal (odds ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.72–1.87). Conclusion Gastrostomy tubes are more frequently being placed via percutaneous endoscopic and fluoroscopic methods. This study suggests that those undergoing fluoroscopic placement have higher odds of developing short- and long-term postoperative complications., Highlights • Fluoroscopic g-tubes have higher odds of developing short- and long-term complications. • Fluoroscopy has higher odds for abdominal wall pain and mechanical complications. • Hyperlipidemia, smoking, and hypertension are risk factors for abdominal wall pain.