[Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) in onco-hematology. PICC line in onco-hematology]

Bull Cancer. 2010 Sep;97(9):1067-71. doi: 10.1684/bdc.2010.1167.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) have the advantage of limiting the risk of accidents during installation and are easy to remove. Its use in oncology remains debated because of possible infectious complications. We analyzed 52 PICC in patients with hematological tumor from Nice Hospital. An installation failure was noted in 5.8% of cases. After a follow-up of 15 months, the complication rate was 26.9%, mainly mechanical complications: obstruction (13.5%) or accidental removal (9.6%). The organic complications such as infection or thrombophlebitis represented 3.8%. The median duration was 26 days [2-291]. The longest duration was associated with PICC for chemotherapy (median: 58 days). Frequent blood samples (above: 2 week) were associated with lower duration (median: 23 days). In conclusion, PICC represent a simple and effective alternative to intra-venous central devices in onco-hematology. However, physicians have to focus on short-course treatment.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Catheter-Related Infections / epidemiology
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / adverse effects*
  • Catheterization, Central Venous / methods
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • France
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Thrombophlebitis / epidemiology
  • Time Factors
  • Ultrasonography, Interventional