Analysis of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Line in Cancer Patients: A Single-Center Experience

Background  Peripherally inserted central venous catheters are now widely used in cancer patients who require long-term treatment, for delivering multiple infusates. We aimed to evaluate the overall use of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line in cancer patients, with the objective to study the demographic profile, complications, and safety related to PICC line in cancer patients. Methods  All the patients undergoing treatment for hematological and solid malignancies with PICC line inserted at the Healthcare Global Hospital during the study were evaluated prospectively. The complications related to PICC and its safety were analyzed. Results  Five hundred PICCs were inserted over a period of 2 years to 8 months for a total of 62,440 catheter days (mean of 24 days, i.e., 4.2 months, range: 1-434 days). The most common indication for PICC was for delivering chemotherapy (100%). Of these, 51 (10.2%) PICCs had complications at the rate of 0.82/1000 PICC days, and hence, 41 PICCs were removed. Hematological malignancies had more complications as compared with those with solid malignancies. Conclusions  PICCs are comparatively safe method for the central venous access in cancer patients.