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Reverse tapered versus non-tapered peripherally inserted central catheters: A narrative review
1Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Genova, Genova, Italy.
The Journal of Vascular Access
|April 13, 2021
Summary
Reverse tapered Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) lack proven benefits. Clinical evidence does not support claims of improved safety or efficacy over standard designs.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Access Devices
- Medical Device Design
- Clinical Efficacy Studies
Background:
- The reverse tapering design for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) was introduced over 20 years ago with purported benefits for efficacy and safety.
- Hypothesized advantages include reduced postoperative bleeding and prevention of catheter kinking or twisting.
Discussion:
- Clinical studies investigating reverse tapered PICCs are scarce, failing to demonstrate significant advantages or disadvantages compared to non-reverse tapered designs.
- This review examines the clinical use of reverse tapered PICCs, including potential adverse effects linked to new subcutaneous securement systems.
Key Insights:
- Current clinical evidence does not substantiate the claimed benefits of reverse tapering in PICC catheters.
- Clinicians should critically evaluate the adoption of reverse tapered PICCs, considering potential drawbacks.
Outlook:
- Further rigorous clinical trials are needed to ascertain the true efficacy and safety profile of reverse tapered PICC designs.
- The integration of securement systems warrants attention regarding their impact on PICC-related complications.
