The incidence of symptomatic PICC-associated UE DVT is low, but given the number of PICCs placed each year, they account for up to 35% of all diagnosed UE DVTs. Larger-diameter PICCs and malignancy increase the risk for DVT, and further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal vein of first choice for PICC insertion.

OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the impact of chronic hypertension and pregestational diabetes on pregnancy outcomes. STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective cohort study of 532,088 women undergoing singleton births in California in 2006. Women were categorized into chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, both, or neither. Pregnancy outcomes were compared using the χ2 test and multivariable logistic regression to control for potential confounders. RESULTS We identified differences in perinatal outcomes between the groups. The rate of preterm birth in women with both conditions was 35.5% versus 25.5% in women with chronic hypertension versus 19.4% in women with pregestational diabetes (P < .001). The rate of small for gestational age was 18.2% in women with both versus 18.3% in women with chronic hypertension versus 9.7% in women with pre-gestational diabetes (P <.001). CONCLUSION The impact of having both chronic hypertension and pregestational diabetes in pregnancy varies, depending on the outcome examined. Although some had an additive effect (eg, stillbirth), others did not (eg, preeclampsia).

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Methods: An effort to increase BB utilization was implemented in 2003 at 11 centers participating in the Vascular Study Group of New England (VS GNE). A 90% target was set and feedback given at bi-annual meetings. BB usage (Ͻ 1-mo preoperative (P) vs chronic (C)) and POMI rates were prospectively collected among patients undergoing open AAA repair (n ϭ 926) and lower extremity bypass (n ϭ 2123) from 2003 through 2008. Predictors of POMI were determined using multivariate logistic regression. Rates of BB utilization and POMI were analyzed over time across strata of patient risk based on a multivariate model.Results: Overall BB utilization was 86% (AAA 90%, LEB 84%, p Ͻ 0.001), and in-hospital POMI occurred in 5.5% of patients (AAA 7.6%, LEB 4.6%, p Ͻ 0.001). P-BB usage increased in low risk and C-BB usage increased in medium/high risk pts, but POMI rates did not change over time (table). Age Ͼ70 (OR 2.1), positive stress test (OR 2.2), CHF (OR 1.7), C-BB (OR 1.7), resting heart rate (HR) Ͻ 70 (OR 1.8) and diabetes (OR 1.6) were independent predictors of POMI. Resting HR was 67, 70, 70 for patients on C-BB, P-BB and no BB.Conclusions: Despite regional improvement in BB usage, POMI rate did not decrease, perhaps due to P-BB doses that did not change HR. A negative impact of C-BB on POMI was unexpected and requires further investigation.Objectives: PICC line placement may be complicated by superficial (SVT) or deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The purpose of this study was to determine if any PICC line characteristics were associated with venous thrombotic complications.Methods: All upper extremity venous duplex scans over a 12-month period were reviewed, selecting patients with isolated SVT or DVT, and recently placed PICC lines (Ͻ 30 days). Patient characteristics, PICC insertion sites, and technical specifications were evaluated. Over the same period, PICC usage patterns were determined from an electronic medical record query.Results: Over the 12-month period, 690 patients underwent upper extremity venous duplex scans, revealing 219 isolated SVTs and 154 DVTs. Concurrently, 685 PICC line procedures were reviewed (74% basilic, 16% brachial vein, 10% cephalic). 44 of 219 (20%) isolated SVTs were associated with a PICC line (32% cephalic, 68% basilic). 54 of 154 DVTs (35%) were associated with a PICC line. Basilic vein PICCs accounted for 45 DVTs (83%) and brachial vein PICCs for 9 (7.5%), but there were no DVTs associated with cephalic vein PICC lines. (p ϭ 0.03)Conclusions: PICC lines placed in the cephalic vein are associated with isolated SVT, while those placed in the basilic vein are more frequently associated with SVT and DVT. The cephalic vein should be preferentially utilized for PICC line placement to minimize the risk for iatrogenic DVT formation.

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