We have located links that may give you full text access.
High rate of complications associated with peripherally inserted central venous catheters in patients with solid tumours.
Internal Medicine Journal 2004 May
BACKGROUND: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) have been used extensively as a cost-effective and safe form of medium-term intravascular access. There are only limited data about complications of PICC lines in oncology patients despite theoretical concerns about the higher risks of complications in these patients as a result of cancer itself and cancer therapy.
AIMS: To document the frequency and type of PICC complications in patients with solid tumours.
METHODS: All patients with solid tumours who were treated at Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia between January 2000 and March 2001 were included in a retrospective review of PICC complications.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven PICC lines were inserted in 17 patients; 40.7% (11/27) of PICC lines developed complications requiring early removal of the PICC. Complications encountered were sepsis (systemic and cellulitis), thrombosis, blockage and leakage. Septic complications were found at a rate of 8/1000 PICC days or 25.7% (7/27) of PICC inserted. The median dwell time was 20 days. The mean time for a complication to occur was 27.5 days.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates a high rate of complications, which is higher than the complication rates reported in studies of non-oncology patients. PICC lines should be used with caution in patients with solid tumours. Prospective studies of the factors influencing the incidence of complications might be warranted.
AIMS: To document the frequency and type of PICC complications in patients with solid tumours.
METHODS: All patients with solid tumours who were treated at Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia between January 2000 and March 2001 were included in a retrospective review of PICC complications.
RESULTS: Twenty-seven PICC lines were inserted in 17 patients; 40.7% (11/27) of PICC lines developed complications requiring early removal of the PICC. Complications encountered were sepsis (systemic and cellulitis), thrombosis, blockage and leakage. Septic complications were found at a rate of 8/1000 PICC days or 25.7% (7/27) of PICC inserted. The median dwell time was 20 days. The mean time for a complication to occur was 27.5 days.
CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates a high rate of complications, which is higher than the complication rates reported in studies of non-oncology patients. PICC lines should be used with caution in patients with solid tumours. Prospective studies of the factors influencing the incidence of complications might be warranted.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Challenges in Septic Shock: From New Hemodynamics to Blood Purification Therapies.Journal of Personalized Medicine 2024 Februrary 4
Molecular Targets of Novel Therapeutics for Diabetic Kidney Disease: A New Era of Nephroprotection.International Journal of Molecular Sciences 2024 April 4
The 'Ten Commandments' for the 2023 European Society of Cardiology guidelines for the management of endocarditis.European Heart Journal 2024 April 18
A Guide to the Use of Vasopressors and Inotropes for Patients in Shock.Journal of Intensive Care Medicine 2024 April 14
Diagnosis and Management of Cardiac Sarcoidosis: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association.Circulation 2024 April 19
Essential thrombocythaemia: A contemporary approach with new drugs on the horizon.British Journal of Haematology 2024 April 9
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app