PICCing Your Way into the Pericardium: A Potential Catastrophic Complication of a PICC Line

Abstract

This is a rare case of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) that was found to be in the pericardiacophrenic vein on a post-procedure chest X-ray. An 82-year-old man was admitted to the medical ICU for severe sepsis with shock and a PICC was placed for vasopressor support. Malpositioning of a central venous catheter can lead to catastrophic results including, perforation, pericardial effusion and tamponade.

Editor's Note: Vascular Medicine and Surgery (Vol 5 Iss 4)

“…On the other hand, the case report published by Lee et al presented a rare case of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) [7]. The rarity of the case lies in the fact that the post-procedure chest X-ray located the catheter to be present in the pericardiacophrenic vein of the 82-year-old male patient.…”