[Evaluation of tip location reliability of intraprocedural ECG vs. chest Xrays in PICC placement].
. Evaluation of tip location reliability of intraprocedural ECG vs. chest Xrays in PICC placement.


BACKGROUND
Among the methods to assess the correct positioning of the tip of central venous catheters, the ECG method is safe and reliable.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the reliability of tip location by intraprocedural ECG and post-procedural radiological examination as implemented in routine care in a tertiary hospital PICC Team.


METHODS
119 PICCs positioned by the Monza hospital PICC Team were examined positioned by either ECG technique or post procedural x-rays technique. The tip location was assessed in retrospect, through occasional chest ray reports. We assessed the reliability of the ECG and X rays techniques.


RESULTS
In the ECG group (75 catheters), 71 (95.7%) were correctly located vs 33/44 (75%) in the x-rays group.


CONCLUSIONS
Tip location by ECG technique implemented by the PICC team is feasible and safe. The cost/benefit ratio suggests its adoption as main tip location technique.
Stefano
S
Elli
Luigi
L
Cannizzo
Alessia
A
Marini
Silvia
S
Porcarelli
Filippo
F
Azzarone
Roberto
R
Fumagalli
Giuseppe
G
Foti
Alberto
A
Lucchini
D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000592:standards*; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012189:Retrospective Studies