title: The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC): a prospective study of its natural history after cubital fossa insertion.
abstract: A prospective cohort study was undertaken to describe the natural history of the cubital fossa peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), determine which factors influenced the hazard of complication and develop a standard methodology for evaluation of a PICC service. A total of 4349 patient days of PICC observation were analysed using survival analysis techniques. The median time to PICC removal for a complication was 60 days. The most common complications were phlebitis, malposition and tip migration. Complications usually occurred during the first week. There was only one episode of line-related sepsis. Size 3 French gauge catheters had a complication rate of 7.3 per 1,000 line days compared to 14.2 for 4 French catheters (hazard rate 1.26 90% CI 1.02 to 1.55). PICCs requiring two or more attempts at insertion were more likely to develop complications than those inserted at the first attempt: 20 per 1,000 line days vs 10.5 but the confidence intervals were wide (hazard rate 1.91, 90% CI 0.90 to 4.05). Operator (amongst the four experienced operators who inserted all PICCs), arm of placement, or medial or lateral placement in the cubitalfossa did not influence PICC survivaL
authors.affiliation: Immunology and Infectious Diseases Unit, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, New South Wales.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Loewenthal
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Dobson
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Starkey
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Dagg
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petersen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors