title: Complications of Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of venous catheters is a widespread practice, especially in oncological and oncohematological units. The objective of this study was to evaluate the complications associated with peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in a cohort of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective cohort study, we included all patient carrying PICCs (n = 603) inserted at our institute between October 2010 and December 2013. The main variables collected were medical diagnosis, catheter care, location, duration of catheterization, reasons for catheter removal, complications, and nursing care. Complications were classified as infection, thrombosis, phlebitis, migration, edema, and/or ecchymosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were treated according to the same "nursing care" protocol. The incidence rate of complications was two cases per 1000 days of catheter duration. The most relevant complications were infection and thrombosis, both with an incidence of 0.17 cases per 1000 days of the total catheterization period. The total average duration of catheterization was 170 days [SD 6.06]. Additionally to "end of treatment" (48.42%) and "exitus", (22.53%) the most frequent cause of removal was migration (displacement towards the exterior) of the catheter (5.80%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PICCs are safe devices that allow the administration of long-term treatment and preserve the integrity of the venous system of the patient. Proper care of the catheter is very important to improve the quality life of patients with oncologic and hematologic conditions. Therefore, correct training of professionals and patients as well as following the latest scientific recommendations are particularly relevant.
authors: Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Paula
authors: P
authors: Parás-Bravo
authors: Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Paz-Zulueta
authors: Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Sarabia-Lavin
authors: Departamento de Enfermería, Universidad de Cantabria, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Francisco
authors: F
authors: Jose Amo-Setién
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Herrero-Montes
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Encarnación
authors: E
authors: Olavarría-Beivíde
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Mercedes
authors: M
authors: Rodríguez-Rodríguez
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Blanca
authors: B
authors: Torres-Manrique
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Rodríguez-de la Vega
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Vanesa
authors: V
authors: Caso-Álvarez
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: González-Parralo
authors: Servicio Cántabro de Salud, Santander, Cantabria, España.
authors: Francisco Manuel
authors: FM
authors: Antolín-Juárez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D062905:Central Venous Catheters / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004487:Edema / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D010689:Phlebitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult