Continuous low flow ascites drainage through the urinary bladder via the Alfapump system in palliative patients with malignant ascites.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Malignant Ascites (MA) is a therapeutic dilemma significantly impairing patients' quality of life (QoL). The Sequana Medical alfapump System (AP), a subcutaneous, externally rechargeable, implantable device, continually draining ascites via the urinary bladder, has been well established in liver cirrhosis, but not yet in MA. The AP-system was evaluated in cancer patients in reducing the need for large volume paracentesis (LVP).

Methods

A retrospective multicentre evaluation of all eligible patients who received an AP for MA-palliation was performed. AP was evaluated for its ability to reduce LVP and cross-correlated with adverse events (AE), survival and retrospective physician-reported QoL.

Results

Seventeen patients with median age of 63 years (range: 18-

SUBMITTER: Fotopoulou C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6896754 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature