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Embolic strokes after peripherally inserted central catheter placement

Nitin Garg1, Amit Noheria, Ian R McPhail

  • 1Division of Vascular Surgery, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.

Annals of Vascular Surgery
|November 2, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) can cause rare but serious complications. This case highlights embolic strokes from accidental arterial placement, emphasizing the need for vigilance and radiographic review.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Access Devices
  • Neurology
  • Radiology

Background:

  • Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are widely used for various medical treatments.
  • While generally safe, PICCs carry risks of complications.
  • Understanding these risks is crucial for patient safety.

Observation:

  • A case of inadvertent arterial placement of a PICC is presented.
  • This misplacement led to a significant and uncommon complication.
  • The patient experienced embolic strokes as a result.

Findings:

  • Arterial placement of PICCs is a rare but potentially fatal complication.
  • Embolic strokes can occur due to misplaced PICCs.
  • Radiographic evaluation is critical for identifying malpositioned lines.

Implications:

  • Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for PICC malposition.
  • Thorough review of imaging is essential to prevent severe outcomes.
  • This case underscores the importance of proper PICC insertion technique and verification.

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