Abstract
Objective: To determine the complication rate of (PICCs) peripherally inserted central catheters in cancer patients with a 1 year prospective cohort study. Methods: All PICCs inserted in adult cancer patients in Radiology Department of The Aga Khan University Hospital were followed prospectively till removed or patient expired and pattern of complications noted. Results: One hundred and fourty six PICCs were inserted over a period of 1 year and followed for a total of 3329 catheter-days; median placement, 14 days: range 3-218 days. Of these 67 (32.8%) PICCs were complicated and removed earlier, for a rate of 14.4/1000 PICC-days. Patients with haematologic malignancies were more likely to have complications as compared to those with solid tissue malignancies. Conclusions: Despite a significant complication rate, PICCs are a relatively safe and cost effective method of establishing central venous access.
| Original language | English (UK) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 663-667 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association |
| Volume | 59 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| Publication status | Published - Oct 2009 |