Determination of complication rate of PICC lines in oncological patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the complication rate of (PICCs) peripherally inserted central catheters in cancer patients with a 1 year prospective cohort study.


METHODS
All PICCs inserted in adult cancer patients in Radiology Department of The Aga Khan University Hospital were followed prospectively till removed or patient expired and pattern of complications noted.


RESULTS
One hundred and fourty six PICCs were inserted over a period of 1 year and followed for a total of 3329 catheter-days; median placement, 14 days: range 3-218 days. Of these 67 (32.8%) PICCs were complicated and removed earlier, for a rate of 14.4/1000 PICC-days. Patients with haematologic malignancies were more likely to have complications as compared to those with solid tissue malignancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a significant complication rate, PICCs are a relatively safe and cost effective method of establishing central venous access.
Haider
Ghulam
G
Oncology Department of Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan.
Kumar
Shiyam
S
Salam
Basit
B
Masood
Nehal
N
Jamal
Asim
A
Rasheed
Yasmeen Abdul
YA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000295:instrumentation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D012307:Risk Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents