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The Facts on BD Implantable Ports

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About Ports
Port Anatomy
BD Port Offerings
Testimonials
Litigation

Patient safety and product quality have been top priorities at C. R. Bard, Inc. and BD since the beginning

39 years on the market with the launch of our first non-power injectable port in 1987 and first PowerPort™ in 2006.

What is a Port?

A port is a small device that makes it easier for healthcare providers to access a vein. Ports help people who often need IV treatments, like chemotherapy, or blood draws. A port consists of a small plastic or metal body, a catheter, and a catheter lock. The device gets implanted beneath the skin, typically on the chest or arm. It is accessed with a special needle so medicines and fluids can be infused and blood samples can be withdrawn. When a port is no longer needed, a provider will remove it.

Why did your doctor recommend a port?

You or a loved one may have received a diagnosis that requires frequent access to the vascular system, which means regular needle sticks to administer medication or draw blood samples. Here are some examples of illnesses and treatment needs requiring frequent vascular access:

Cancer that requires chemotherapy, IV fluids, or frequent blood draws
Infection that requires long-term IV antibiotics
Disease that requires parenteral (IV) nutrition

Your healthcare provider may have recommended an implantable port to support you or your loved one’s care and treatment. A port makes it easier for healthcare providers to access a vein to deliver medications, draw blood samples and complete blood-related therapies. With a port, you may have:

Fewer needle sticks compared to PIVs
More than one medication delivery at a time with dual lumen port options
Multiple blood tests and treatments in the same day with just one needle stick
Reduced risk of pain from needle sticks and bruising compared to PIV's
Reduced risk of vein damage from strong medications such as chemotherapy compared to PIVs

Why might you consider a port?

Your treatment may require frequent delivery of medicine or fluids into your bloodstream. Your healthcare provider may also require blood samples. If this is the case, a port may be an appropriate option for your treatment.

Once placed, a port can stay in place as long as your healthcare provider makes sure that it works and indicates that you still need it. While the port itself will still need to be accessed with a needle, there will be a decreased need for the sometimes painful poking and prodding when finding a peripheral vein in your arms or hands with a needle every time you receive treatment or have your blood drawn.
Since ports are placed in larger central veins, ports can reduce the likelihood of damage to the smaller veins in your arms or hands. This may benefit you if blood work or IVs are needed down the road.

Implanted ports, compared to other centrally placed vascular access devices, are more likely to permit you to go about your normal day-to-day activities, like showering and swimming. Ask your healthcare team about specific activities and the appropriate time to resume them.
With an implanted port, there is no exposed device. Implanted ports are small and can be hidden from view. No one needs to know about your treatment unless you want them to.

Risks associated with having a port

You should not receive a port if you have or are suspected of having an infection, have a body size that will not allow for proper port placement or port access, are allergic to materials contained in the port, have chronic obstructive lung disease (or COPD), have had previous blood clots (thrombosis), have had a surgical procedure where the port would be placed, or have had the port insertion site exposed to radiation.

Unfortunately, a port is not for everyone. Like any vascular access procedure, there is always a risk of complications, including blood clots, skin erosion, infection, a collapsed lung, or clotting of the port catheter. Talk to your healthcare provider about these and other risks, including those listed below under “Possible Complications,” and whether a port or another treatment is right for you.

Talk to your doctor about these and other possible complications.

Air Embolism (air bubbles entering the bloodstream and blocking blood flow)
Allergic Reaction (the body reacting negatively to a substance, such as the device or medications)
Bleeding (loss of blood from a blood vessel)
Brachial Plexus Injury (damage to the nerves in the shoulder/arm, potentially causing pain, weakness, or numbness)
Cardiac Arrhythmia (an irregular or abnormal heartbeat)
Cardiac Puncture (accidental piercing of the heart wall)
Cardiac Tamponade (fluid buildup around the heart that prevents it from working properly)
Catheter or Port Erosion Through the Skin (the device wearing through the skin and becoming exposed)
Catheter Embolism (a piece of the catheter breaking off and traveling through the bloodstream)
Catheter Occlusion (blockage of the catheter that prevents flow through it)
Catheter or port-related Sepsis (a serious bloodstream infection linked to the device)
Damage or Breakage due to Compression between the Clavicle and First Rib (device damage caused by being pinched between bones in the chest)
Device Rotation or Extrusion (movement or shifting of the device, or the device pushing out through the skin)
Endocarditis (infection of the inner lining and valves of the heart)
Extravasation (leakage of medication or fluids outside the vein into surrounding tissue)
Fibrin Sheath Formation (a layer of protein buildup around the catheter that can affect its function)
Guidewire Fragment Embolism (a piece of the guidewire breaking off and traveling in the bloodstream)
Hematoma (a collection of blood under the skin, causing swelling or bruising)
Hemothorax (blood collecting in the space around the lungs)
Hydrothorax (fluid collecting in the space around the lungs)
Infection, including but not limited to pocket, catheter tunnel, and/or bloodstream (infection at the device site, along the catheter path, or in the blood)
Inflammation, Necrosis, or Scarring of Skin Over Implant Area (irritation, tissue damage, or scar formation over the device site)
Intolerance or Reaction to Implanted Device (the body reacting poorly to the device)
Laceration of Vessels or Viscus (tearing or injury to blood vessels or internal organs)
Pain at or around port pocket site (discomfort where the device is implanted)
Perforation of Vessels or Viscus (a hole or puncture in blood vessels or internal organs)
Pneumothorax (air leaking into the chest, which can cause a collapsed lung)
Risks Normally Associated with Local or General Anesthesia, Surgery, and Post-Operative Recovery (common risks such as nausea, infection, or complications related to procedures and recovery)
Spontaneous Catheter Tip Malposition or Retraction (the catheter tip moving out of its proper position on its own)
Thoracic Duct Injury (damage to the main lymphatic vessel in the chest, which can cause fluid leakage)
Thromboembolism (a blood clot that travels through the bloodstream and blocks a vessel)
Vascular Thrombosis (a blood clot forming inside a blood vessel)
Vessel Erosion (wearing away or damage to the wall of a blood vessel)

After the procedure to place your port, you may have some redness and tenderness in the area. This should go away in 24 to 48 hours. However, contact your healthcare provider if you notice unusual changes in the skin, such as increased swelling, redness, soreness or drainage. If you have pain, fever, chills, shortness of breath, dizziness or drainage, contact your healthcare provider right away.

DON'T FORGET!

If you recently had a port placed, review your patient discharge packet and contact your healthcare provider if you have any questions or experience any complications post-placement. Keep your ID card, wristband and/or key tag with you in case your healthcare provider has any questions about what kind of port you have.

BD, the BD Logo, Bard, the Bard logo, Advancing the world of health, AllPoints, ChronoFlex, ClearVUE, Groshong, MiniLoc, M.R.I., PortReady, PowerFlow, PowerPort, PowerLoc, SafeStep, SlimPort, Rosenblatt and the radiopaque identifier are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2026 BD. All rights reserved.

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Types Of BD Ports

BD Ports are available in a variety of shapes and sizes depending on your treatment needs, personal preferences, and physical characteristics. Your healthcare provider will choose the best port for you.

BD Port Evolution

A focus on port innovation has been at the heart and soul of C. R. Bard/BD since the launch of our non-power injectable port in 1987. Today, with our broad portfolio of port options, we remain uniquely positioned to help support you in your healthcare journey with a BD implantable port.

*As of September 2026

Anatomy of a Port

Port Catheters

ChronoFlex™ Catheter

made of polyurethane and have an open, non-valved tip
Groshong™
Catheter

made of silicone and have a valved tip
Silicone

made with silicone with an open, non-valved tip

BD, the BD Logo, Advancing the World of Health, AllPoints, C.R.Bard, ChronoFlex, ClearVUE, Groshong, MiniLoc, M.R.I., PortReady, PowerFlow, PowerPort, PowerLoc, SafeStep, SlimPort, Rosenblatt and the radiopaque identifier are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2026 BD. All rights reserved.

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BD offers a wide range of ports and kit configurations to help you and your healthcare team choose the solution that's right for you.

Browse all of our port offerings below and visit our PortReady™ Patient Resources site for more information.

Our Premium
BD Port Offerings

PowerPort™ ClearVUE™
Implantable Port

Learn More

PowerFlow™ Implantable
Apheresis IV Port

Learn more

Port Access

Learn more

Patient Resources

The PortReady™ program was designed to help you to be more informed about the ways in which you can receive your treatment, with a focus on implantable ports. We believe that being empowered by knowledge and the support of others can make a difference in your journey.

Learn More

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Patient Experience

A retrospective study of 102 and 89 patients at 1 and 3 months after implantation, respectively, found that 97% of surveyed patients were satisfied or very satisfied with their PowerPort™ isp M.R.I.™ Port at 1 month, and 94.8% of patients were satisfied or very satisfied at 3 months.¹

Click below to hear our patient testimonials

Patient Testimonials

What Patients Are Saying

What Physicians Are Saying

Dr. Ripal Gandhi,
MD, FSVM, FSIR

My staff and I have used a wide range of ports in the past. Once we placed the PowerPort™ ClearVUE™ Implantable Port and saw the metal free and power injectable features firsthand, it was a simple choice to continue using this port in my practice.

If I have a patient who is eligible for proton beam therapy to structures in the chest, I will only place a 100% metal free port so that therapy can be delivered without relocating the port. Since PowerPort™ ClearVUE™ Implantable Port is MR Safe, this allows my staff and I to place the device without concern about interference with future MR imaging.

Dr. Jon C. Davidson,
MD, FSIR

What truly sets PowerPort™ ClearVUE™ Implantable Port apart is its intentional design that considers the patient's future diagnostic and treatment needs. The device's 100% MRI safety enables seamless integration with cutting-edge MR therapies, including MR Linac, expanding treatment options and enhancing the quality of care we can provide to our patients.

BD, the BD Logo, Advancing the World of Health, AllPoints, ChronoFlex, ClearVUE, Groshong, MiniLoc, M.R.I., PortReady, PowerFlow, PowerPort, PowerLoc, SafeStep, SlimPort, Rosenblatt and the radiopaque identifier are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2026 BD. All rights reserved.

¹ Kunz-Virk J, Krüger K. Power-injectable totally implantable venous access devices – analysis of success and complication rates of ultrasound-guided implantation and a patient satisfaction survey. Vasa. 2019. doi: 10.1024/0301-1526/a000802

The C. R. Bard/BD Port lawsuits – what are they about?

You may have seen ads or websites or heard from law firms alleging that C. R. Bard/BD Ports have manufacturing flaws that cause injuries to patients. Some law firms are claiming that there are FDA recalls for C. R. Bard/BD Ports because the catheters are fracturing, becoming occluded, or causing infections and thrombosis due to the barium sulfate in them. This litigation has received a lot of attention because of attorney advertising. Others are claiming that C. R. Bard/BD Port catheters should have additional coating to reduce the incidence of these well-known risks.

The fact is there have been no FDA-initiated recalls of C. R. Bard/BD Port Catheters related to catheter fracture, occlusion, thrombosis, or infection since C. R. Bard/BD Port products first came to market in 1987.

The Facts

C. R. Bard/BD Port catheters have been the #1 choice of clinicians for 35+ years

C. R. Bard/BD has sold hundreds of thousands of port products since 1987, which has helped countless patients through their treatment journeys. Our portfolio of C. R.Bard/BD PowerPort™ Devices has a long and successful history of enabling the treatment for critically ill patients, particularly those with cancer. As the market leader for ports, BD prides itself on patient safety and product quality.

There have been no FDA-initiated recalls for C. R. Bard/BD Port catheters

Since 1987, there have been no FDA-initiated recalls on any C. R. Bard/BD Ports related to catheter functionality. Some websites mistakenly claim that a 2022 recall was due to reports of catheter fracture, infection, and thrombosis, but it was not. C. R. Bard/BD recalled its PowerPort™ duo M.R.I.™ Implantable Ports in 2022 due to a manufacturing anomaly that impacted a limited number of lots. After discovering the issue, C. R. Bard/BD immediately initiated a voluntary recall of the affected lots and corrected the issue.

There have been no FDA warning letters issued for C. R. Bard/BD Ports

The FDA has never issued a warning letter to C. R. Bard or BD regarding their line of port products. An FDA warning letter is an official message from the FDA to a manufacturer when they have violated a rule in a federally regulated activity. BD takes its commitment to safety very seriously – we actively monitor and investigate all reported complaints regarding our C. R. Bard PowerPort™ Devices and continue to report adverse events as required by the FDA.
*As of June 2026

There is no medical literature that shows an increased rate of infection, thrombosis or fracture with C. R. Bard/BD Port catheters in the U.S.

C. R. Bard/BD has completed an extensive literature search to see if there was any research to support these lawsuit allegations. We came up empty handed. There is no existing clinical data that indicates an increased rate of infection, thrombosis, or fracture of BD Port catheters compared to other port catheters in the United States.

C. R. Bard/BD is at the forefront of industry innovation

Although the plaintiffs claim that C. R. Bard/BD has failed to innovate its implantable port devices, it was Bard who introduced the first power-injectable port to the U.S. market in 2007, launched the first and only metal-free*, MR safe power injectable port in 2012, and launched the first 90-day flushing interval for its Groshong™ catheter in 2014. The plaintiffs also claim that C. R. Bard should have added a coating to its port catheters, but coatings can introduce additional risks not present with an uncoated catheter and can affect catheter functionality. In fact, there are no port catheters on the U.S. market that contain antimicrobial coatings.

*As of September 2026

Many medical devices that are visible under x-ray imaging have barium sulfate in them

Any medical device that is visible under x-ray imaging likely has barium sulfate in it. Barium sulfate is used by BD and many other medical device manufacturers for this benefit.

Litigation Status

The first trial in the multi-district litigation will begin on April 21, 2026. In that case, the plaintiff developed an infection approximately ten days after his port placement. Four additional cases are scheduled for trial during 2026, and another is scheduled in February 2027. We will continue to vigorously defend each case, as well as the remaining cases in the multi-district litigation.

C. R. Bard, Inc., and its subsidiaries were acquired by BD in 2017.

For more detailed information about the Bard Port Lawsuits, visit the official court website concerning the multidistrict litigation:

https://www.azd.uscourts.gov/re-bard-implanted-port-catheter-products-liability-litigation

For more information on FDA guidance concerning efforts to counter internet-based misinformation:

https://www.fda.gov/media/179827/download

Whom should I talk to about my concerns?

BD offers 24/7 support through our Medical Information Team:

Email: Medical.information@bd.com
Phone: 1-800-555-7422, ext 3
Normal hours are Mon – Fri, 8:30am-5:30pm EST
On call for emergencies 24/7, 365 days/year

Press Releases from BD Regarding Litigation

English

Press Releases from BD Regarding Litigation

English

BD, the BD Logo, Bard, the Bard logo, Advancing the World of Health, AllPoints, ChronoFlex, ClearVUE, Groshong, MiniLoc, M.R.I., PortReady, PowerFlow, PowerPort, PowerLoc, SafeStep, SlimPort, Rosenblatt and the radiopaque identifier are trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. © 2026 BD. All rights reserved.

*Recall was voluntary and triggered by BD quality management system. There have been no FDA-initiated recalls since 1987 (as of September 2026.)

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