title: Prospective evaluation of systematic use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) for the home care after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells transplantation.
abstract: Long-term catheters are often necessary for outpatient care after an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), However, there is paucity of data on the use of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in post-HSCT setting.
  
  
  
  We prospectively evaluated the systematic use of PICC in 37 consecutive patients returning home after HSCT.
  
  
  
  In 6 out of 37 patients, the PICC was exclusively used for weekly blood controls. In 31 patients, the PICC line was used at home for hydration (18), antibiotics (3), intravenous human Ig (7), transfusions (10), extracorporeal photopheresis (3), chemotherapy (2), artificial nutrition (1), and/or palliative care (1). PICC complications were reported in ten patients (27%), causing eight PICC removals. At the end of the study, 35 patients had their PICC removed. PICCs were used with a median duration of 67 days. Reasons for removal were that PICC was not considered to be useful any longer (16), suspicion of infection (inflammation without documentation) (5) or infection (2), patient's wish (4), death (4), accidental withdrawal (2), puncture site bleeding (1), and catheter change due to extracorporeal photopheresis (1). Three venous thromboses were reported (8%), requesting one PICC removal because of associated infection. In other cases, an antithrombotic treatment was initiated.
  
  
  
  Although the number of patients included in the study was small, our results suggest that PICC is a safe long-term venous access for home care after HSCT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France. Jerome.cornillon@icloire.fr.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cornillon
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Martignoles
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tavernier-Tardy
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gire
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tranchan
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42 St, Etienne, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vallard
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Augeul-Meunier
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42-St, Etienne, France.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hacquard
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Hematology, Institut de Cancérologie Lucien Neuwirth, 42171 St, Priest en Jarez, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guyotat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D006699:Home Care Services / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019172:Transplantation Conditioning / Q000379:methods*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous / Q000379:methods*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; Home care; PICC line