Use and morbidity of venous access devices in patients with hemophilia.

To obtain information on venous access devices (VADs) used for the treatment of patients with hemophilia and infections associated with the use of VADs, a questionnaire was sent to 153 hemophilia treatment centers in the United States and Puerto Rico. Information regarding the treatment of 10,421 patients and 568 VADs was obtained. Infections were reported with 159 (45%) of 353 internal devices and 126 (71%) of 178 external devices. These results indicate that VADs used for the treatment of hemophilia are associated with significantly higher infection rates than are those used in oncology or mixed patient populations.