Overview
The Bard PowerPort is an implantable port catheter system manufactured by C.R. Bard (now a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company). Implantable ports are surgically placed beneath the skin, typically in the chest, and are used to provide long-term intravenous access for patients requiring repeated infusions of chemotherapy, medications, blood products, or nutritional support.
The Bard PowerPort was designed to withstand high-pressure injections, making it particularly common in cancer patients requiring contrast-enhanced imaging and chemotherapy. However, thousands of patients have suffered serious complications connected to the device — many of which have been linked to the catheter's material composition and design.
If you or a loved one experienced serious complications from a Bard PowerPort, you may have a legal claim against Becton Dickinson.
Complications Associated with the Bard PowerPort
Patients with implanted Bard PowerPort devices have reported a range of serious and sometimes life-threatening complications, including:
- Catheter fracture and embolism — The polyurethane catheter can crack or break, allowing fragments to travel through the bloodstream and lodge in the heart or lungs
- Migration — The port or catheter tip can shift from its original position, reducing efficacy and causing injury to surrounding structures
- Thrombosis — Blood clots forming at or near the port site, which can obstruct blood flow or travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Infection — Device-associated bloodstream infections, including sepsis
- Cardiac arrhythmia — Resulting from catheter migration into the heart
- Perforation — Of surrounding vessels or organs
- Port failure — Requiring surgical removal and replacement
Many of the reported complications center on the catheter's polyurethane construction and its connection to the port body. Critics have alleged that the device's design makes it prone to fracture under the stress of high-pressure injections, and that Bard failed to adequately test and disclose this risk.
Litigation Background
Bard PowerPort litigation has grown significantly as the number of reported injuries has increased. Cases have been filed in federal courts across the country, and multidistrict litigation (MDL) has been established to consolidate claims for more efficient pretrial proceedings. Key allegations include:
- Defective design of the catheter material and connection mechanisms
- Manufacturing defects causing premature catheter degradation
- Failure to warn physicians and patients about the risk of catheter fracture and embolism
- Inadequate post-market surveillance and delayed reporting of adverse events to the FDA
The FDA has received thousands of Medical Device Reports (MDRs) associated with Bard PowerPort complications, and the volume of complaints has been cited in litigation as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the device's failure risks.
Who May Have a Claim
You may have a Bard PowerPort lawsuit if:
- You had a Bard PowerPort implanted and experienced one or more of the complications described above
- You required surgical intervention — including catheter removal, repair, or additional procedures — due to port-related complications
- You suffered a pulmonary embolism, cardiac event, or serious infection linked to your port device
Medical records and operative reports identifying the specific device implanted are important for evaluating your claim. Our attorneys can help you gather this information. Statute of limitations deadlines apply — contact us promptly.
Contact Triten Law
Triten Law is actively reviewing Bard PowerPort claims. If you or a loved one has suffered complications from an implantable port catheter, contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation. No fees unless we win.