AN AUDIT FOR PERIPHERALLY INSERTED CENTRAL CATHETER AT TERTIARY CARE CENTER

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Venous access is a critical issue in the care and management of wide variety of patients. Central venous catheters are required for long-term venous access. Peripherally inserted central catheters provide effective, short and intermediate term intravenous access. PICCs have several potential advantages including use of local anesthesia, a low risk of major hemorrhage, and no risk of pneumothorax. PICCs are now increasingly placed by interventional radiologists. With use of fluoroscopic and ultrasound guidance higher success rates are achieved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the success and immediate complication rates. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the success and immediate complication rates of radiologically inserted PICC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six months data was retrospectively evaluated of patients who underwent PICC insertion in interventional suit of our department. All procedures were performed under strict aseptic measures after infiltrating local anesthesia. 4 Fr single lumen catheters were inserted in all patients under fluoroscopy guidance after ultrasound guided puncture of an arm vein. Clotting parameters of all patients were assessed prior to venous puncture. Tip of the catheters were placed in distal third of superior vena cava. RESULTS: Total of 416 PICC lines were inserted in 337 patients. 279 (82.7%) patients underwent single insertion and 58 (17.2%) patients underwent multiple insertions. 58 patients had multiple insertions total 137 (32.9%) PICC lines were placed. Success rate for PICC insertion was 99.52%. Immediate complication rate for was 0.48%. CONCLUSION: Radiologically guided placement of PICC is a simple, safe and effective procedure in patients requiring venous access. Keywords : Catheters, central venous access, Interventional procedures.