Peripherally inserted central catheter placement in swine using magnet detection

Positioning a PICC in the lower half of the superior vena cava is a crucial aspect of its safety and efficacy. A magnet detection system evaluated in this animal study presents a method that allows PICC placements to be performed without fluoroscopy. Forty-four localizations were studied in six pigs. The detection system located magnet-tagged PICCs with an average error of 0.40 cm and a standard deviation of 0.29 cm. The system provided real-time information about the path and orientation of the PICC tip during difficult insertions. This study demonstrates the accuracy of this magnet location system.