title: [Ultrasound-guided peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in cancer patients: success of the insertion, survival and complications].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the results of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) inserted by nurses using an ultrasound-guided technique at bed-side.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational and prospective study was conducted on all the PICC inserted at bed-side by an ultrasound-guided technique at the Araba University Hospital. The technique was introduced in June 2010, and the data collection period ended in November 2011. The main study variables were successful insertion, duration of PICC, incidences related to the catheter, devices reaching end of treatment and reasons for withdrawal. Patient sociodemographic data and PICC technical features were also registered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 165 PICC were inserted, 73 are still in use, with 95.2% inserted in patients from oncology or haematology departments. Insertion was successful in the 89.7% (95% CI: 85.1%-94.3%) of the cases. The study included 16,234 catheter days, with a median dwell time of 92 days by PICC. The most frequent incidence was accidental removal in 0.986 per 1000 catheter days (95% CI=0.970-1.001). The thrombosis rate was 0.308 per 1,000 days (95% CI= 0.299-0.317), and the catheter-associated bloodstream infection rate was 0.062 per 1,000 catheter days (95% CI=0.058-0.065).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasound-guided PICC insertion can be performed at bedside by trained nurses with a high probability of success. PICC, because of its low complication rate and long indwelling catheter survival, is a suitable central venous device for long-term treatment in oncology and haematology patients.
authors.affiliation: Osakidetza-Servicio Vasco de Salud, Unidad de Oncología-Hematología, Hospital Universitario Araba, Vitoria-Gasteiz, España. inmaculada.morazadulanto@osakidetza.net
authors.forename: Maria Inmaculada
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Moraza-Dulanto
authors.forename: Lucía
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Garate-Echenique
authors.forename: Erika
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Miranda-Serrano
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Armenteros-Yeguas
authors.forename: María Aranzazu
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tomás-López
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Benítez-Delgado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult