title: Comparison of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC) versus subcutaneously implanted port-chamber catheters by complication and cost for patients receiving chemotherapy for non-haematological malignancies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Indwelling central venous catheters (CVCs) have been increasingly used to enable delivery of intravenous chemotherapy. We aimed to compare the safety and cost of two commonly used CVCs, peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICCs) and ports, in the delivery of chemotherapy in patients with non-haematological malignancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy patients were randomly assigned to receive either a PICC or a port. The primary endpoint was occurrence of major complications, which required removal of the CVC and secondary endpoints included occurrence of any complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Port devices were associated with fewer complications compared with PICC lines (hazard ratio of 0.25, CI, 0.09-0.86, P = 0.038). Major complication rate was lower in the port arm compared to the PICC arm (0.047 versus 0.193 major complications/100 catheter days, P = 0.034) with 6 versus 20 % of patients experiencing major complications, respectively. Thrombosis, the most common complication, was significantly higher in the PICC arm compared to the port arm (25 versus 0 %, P = 0.013). Quality of life and cost estimates did not differ significantly between the two arms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Port devices are associated with a lower risk of complications, with no difference in cost, compared to PICC lines in patients with non-haematological malignancies receiving intravenous chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders Medical Centre/Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA, 5042, Australia, doctorgargi@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pellegrini
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Slavotinek
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eaton
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: McLeay
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Price
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ly
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ullah
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Koczwara
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kichenadasse
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Karapetis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001315:Australia; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics* / Q000295:instrumentation; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D011788:Quality of Life; D015996:Survival Rate; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000191:economics / Q000209:etiology; D062666:Vascular Access Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents