High rate of complications associated with peripherally inserted central venous catheters in patients with solid tumours

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorCheong, K.
dc.contributor.authorPerry, D.
dc.contributor.authorKarapetis, C.
dc.contributor.authorKoczwara, B.
dc.date.issued2004
dc.descriptionThe definitive version may be found at www.wiley.com
dc.description.abstract<h4>Background</h4>Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) have been used extensively as a cost-effective and safe form of medium-term intravascular access. There are only limited data about complications of PICC lines in oncology patients despite theoretical concerns about the higher risks of complications in these patients as a result of cancer itself and cancer therapy.<h4>Aims</h4>To document the frequency and type of PICC complications in patients with solid tumours.<h4>Methods</h4>All patients with solid tumours who were treated at Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia between January 2000 and March 2001 were included in a retrospective review of PICC complications.<h4>Results</h4>Twenty-seven PICC lines were inserted in 17 patients; 40.7% (11/27) of PICC lines developed complications requiring early removal of the PICC. Complications encountered were sepsis (systemic and cellulitis), thrombosis, blockage and leakage. Septic complications were found at a rate of 8/1000 PICC days or 25.7% (7/27) of PICC inserted. The median dwell time was 20 days. The mean time for a complication to occur was 27.5 days.<h4>Conclusions</h4>The present study demonstrates a high rate of complications, which is higher than the complication rates reported in studies of non-oncology patients. PICC lines should be used with caution in patients with solid tumours. Prospective studies of the factors influencing the incidence of complications might be warranted.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityK. Cheong, D. Perry, C. Karapetis and B. Koczwara
dc.description.urihttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15151668
dc.identifier.citationInternal Medicine Journal, 2004; 34(5):234-238
dc.identifier.doi10.1111/j.1444-0903.2004.00447.x
dc.identifier.issn1444-0903
dc.identifier.issn1445-5994
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/54914
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBlackwell Publishing Asia
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1111/j.1444-0903.2004.00447.x
dc.subjectHumans
dc.subjectNeoplasms
dc.subjectThrombophlebitis
dc.subjectCritical Illness
dc.subjectAntineoplastic Agents
dc.subjectCatheterization, Central Venous
dc.subjectCatheterization, Peripheral
dc.subjectRetrospective Studies
dc.subjectCatheters, Indwelling
dc.subjectFemale
dc.subjectMale
dc.subjectInfections
dc.titleHigh rate of complications associated with peripherally inserted central venous catheters in patients with solid tumours
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

Files

Collections

Medicine publications