The difficult PICC insertion is associated with the significant increase of complications in 1 month follow-up

BACKGROUND

PICC is routinely inserted with assistance of ultrasonography and/or ECG navigation (RI- routine insertion). Only in a minority of patients the insertion of a PICC is difficult and fluoroscopic visualization with introduction of special guidewire is necessary for the success of the procedure (DI-difficult insertion). The aim of the study was to evaluate whether DI can be predicted and associated with a risk of complications during follow-up.

METHODS

The study included patients who had a PICC insertion in 2022. The number of patients with RI and DI was recorded and the significance of selected parameters during insertion and the frequency of complications during 1 month follow-up was compared.

RESULTS

About 1404 patients had successful PICC insertion in 2022, RI in 1360 (96.8%) and DI in 44 patients (3.2%). There was no significant effect of age, gender, selected vein, its size, insertion site, and tunneling on the course of PICC insertion. However the number of punctures for needle insertion was higher in DI. The complication rate during 1 month follow-up in DI was 9 (20.4%) versus 101 patients (7.4%) in RI (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

PICC insertion was successful in both RI and DI patients. Of the analyzed parameters, the number of needle punctures was associated with DI, and complications during the 1-month follow-up were more frequently noted in the DI group.

The selection of the suitable long peripheral catheter in DIVA patients: The significance of ultrasonography

BACKGROUND

There are several types of LPC (long peripheral catheters) that vary in length, size, insertion method, and cost. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether ultrasonography can be useful for the selection of the suitable LPC in DIVA (difficult intravenous access) patients.

METHODS

Based on the ultrasonographic examination, a long peripheral catheter was selected. A 6.4 cm LPC into a vein at a depth of up to 0.5 cm, a 8.5 cm LPC into a vein at a depth up to 1.5 cm, and a 9.8 cm catheter at a depth up to 2 cm using the cannula over needle method. A 12 cm catheter was inserted into the deeper veins using the direct Seldinger method. The catheter diameter was no more than 33% vein diameter. Dwell time and the number of complications of four vascular devices were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

One thousand one hundred fifty-six patients, average age 76 years (19-102), 501 men and 655 women, were included in the study. Average dwelling time was 10 days (1-30), there were 136 complications (11.7%). A catheter 6.4 cm long was inserted in 346 (29.8%), 8.5 cm in 140 (12.1%), 9.8 cm in 320 (27, 5%), and 12 cm in 356 (30.6%) patients. There were no significant differences in dwelling time, rate, and type of complications among the four catheters used.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm that ultrasound examination can be useful for the selection of the suitable long peripheral catheter in DIVA patients.

Comparison of 12-cm versus 6-cm long peripheral catheters in patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA)

BACKGROUND

Long peripheral catheter is 6-15 cm long vascular device. The aim of the study was to compare the frequency of complications of two types of long peripheral catheters with different length inserted in DIVA patients.

METHODS

Under ultrasound navigation 2.7F 6.4 cm or 4Fr 12 cm long peripheral catheter was inserted. Complications of both long peripheral catheters were prospectively observed and their relationship to the patient's age, gender, selected vein, number of punctures and Barthel score system was evaluated.

RESULTS

Ninety-three 12 cm and fifty-five 6.4 cm long peripheral catheters were inserted. Median of dwelling time was 8 days for 6.4 cm and 9 days for 12 cm long peripheral catheter. There were 17 (26%) complications in 6.4 cm (38/1000 catheter days) and 15 (16%) in 12 cm catheter (17/1000 catheter days), p = 0.04. The complications of both peripheral catheters were not associated with the age of patients, gender, number of punctures and selected vein for insertion. Unlike 12 cm catheter, the complications of 6.4 cm long peripheral catheter were significantly associated with the result of Barthel scoring system (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

The frequency of complications was more common with 6,4 cm than with 12 cm catheter.

The incidence of symptomatic upper limb venous thrombosis associated with midline catheter: Prospective observation

Aim:

The evaluation of the incidence of symptomatic upper limb venous thrombosis (ULVT) associated with midline catheters in patients admitted to the hospital.

Methods:

The frequency of symptomatic ULVT diagnosed in a group of patients with midline catheters confirmed by sonographic examination in hospitalised patients at Faculty Hospital over the period of 1 year.

Results:

Four hundred thirty-nine midline catheters were inserted in 430 patients (250 women and 180 men) during year 2015. Nine patients had two midline catheters. The average age of the patient was 68 years (range: 19–96 years). The median time of midline catheter introduction into a vein was 10 days (range: 1–112 days). Symptomatic thrombosis was diagnosed in 20 patients (4.5%), 3.3/1000 catheter days. It was associated with gender (male) and midline insertion in the cephalic vein.

Conclusion:

The risk of upper limb symptomatic thrombosis associated with midline catheters during a stay in the hospital should be taken into consideration when indicating optimal venous access.