Peripheral Inserted Central Catheter Use and Related Infections in Clinical Practice: A Literature Update

Abstract

Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines are commonly used by clinicians in daily practice. This strategy has been established the latest years as a common approach in many clinical conditions. Apart from their usefulness, PICC use is related to some complications. Aim of this review is to summarize all relevant publications regarding the PICC-related infection, as sepsis remains a high mortality syndrome. We conducted a PubMed search to identify all relevant publications referring to infective complications after insertion and use of PICC lines in hospitalized adult patients. A great number of publications suggest that PICC lines are widely used in the management of patients. The use of peripheral inserted central lines is related with a few complications, including bloodstream infections. Existing data mainly support their use in specific clinical conditions because of the low infectious rates. Some conflicting data also exist regarding PICC use, due to an unclear benefit from their use compared to other commonly used strategies. Although a number of complications, including bloodstream infections are related with insertion of PICC lines, their use has a promising role and can be used when indicated in a wide variety of clinical conditions, especially in specific categories of patients and prolonged periods.

Risk of catheter‐related bloodstream infection associated with midline catheters compared with peripherally inserted central catheters: A meta‐analysis

“…CRBSI is a serious complication in intravenous infusion therapy. CRBSI can increase the length of hospitalizations, costs and mortality (Bessis et al., 2020; Velissaris et al., 2019). The prevalence of CRBSI was different with different VADs.…”

Correlation of Positive Blood Cultures with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Line Infection in Oncology Patients

“…Patients with malignancies are likely to require central line placement during treatment, and peripherally inserted catheters are increasingly used in contemporary medicine because of their characteristics of feasibility, accessibility, safety, versatility, and cost-effectiveness [ 2 ]. CLABSIs are one of the most serious complications of PICC use and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality rates.…”

“…For this purpose, the use of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) lines has been established in recent years as a safe and convenient method of central venous access. PICC lines are special, flexible long tubes that are inserted in a peripheral vein, usually in the upper extremity and are advanced under imaging guidance until the upper tip of the catheter reaches a central vein near the heart, usually the superior vena cava [ 2 ]. They offer both the advantage of peripheral intravenous catheters since their insertion requires only the simple puncture of a peripheral vein of the superficial network of the upper extremity, and the advantage of central venal catheters since the tip is inserted in a central vein (superior vena cava).…”

“…Infection of the catheter is another complication that may arise during the course of treatment, as the catheter may be colonized by biofilm-producing skin flora (especially Staphylococcus epidermidis) which may then be introduced into the bloodstream during use of the PICC. Errors during the handling of the PICC catheter during use may also introduce nosocomial pathogens into the bloodstream [ 2 ].…”

Analysis of peripherally inserted central catheter-related complications: a retrospective cohort study of 2,974 children with blood diseases in a single center of China

“…PICC helps hospitalized infants or children with pain relief during treatment. However, a series of PICC-related complications, such as infection, phlebitis, rash, catheter occlusion, or fracture after PICC implantation still occurred (6)(7)(8)(9). It is meaningful to systematically analyze the PICCrelated clinical complications, based on a large sample size.…”