Complication rates among cancer patients with peripherally inserted central catheters Journal Article


Authors: Walshe, L. J.; Malak, S. F.; Eagan, J.; Sepkowitz, K. A.
Article Title: Complication rates among cancer patients with peripherally inserted central catheters
Abstract: Purpose: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are frequently used to deliver outpatient courses of intravenous therapy. However, the rates and risks of complication for this device have not been well-studied. Our objective was to determine the incidence and risk factors of PICC-related complications with a 1-year prospective observational study. Patients and Methods: All PICCs inserted in adult and pediatric patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) were followed prospectively. The device insertion team, inpatient nurses, and various home-care companies and outside institutions collected longitudinal data. Results: Three hundred fifty-one PICCs were inserted during the study period and followed for a total of 10,562 catheter-days (median placement, 15 days; range, 1 to 487 days). Two hundred five PICCs (58%) were managed by home-care companies and outside institutions, and 146 PICCs (42%) were managed exclusively at MSKCC. For these 205 PICCs, 131 nurses from 74 home-care companies and institutions were contacted for follow-up clinical information. In all, 115 (32.8%) of 351 PICCs were removed as a result of a complication, for a rate of 10.9 per 1,000 catheter-days. Patients with hematologic malignancy or bone marrow transplant were more likely to develop a complication, whereas those with metastatic disease were less likely. Conclusion: Complications occur frequently among cancer patients with PICCs, and long-term follow-up is onerous. Despite a high complication rate, the ease of insertion and removal argues for continued PICC use in the cancer population. © 2002 by American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Keywords: adolescent; adult; child; controlled study; aged; aged, 80 and over; middle aged; major clinical study; cancer patient; prospective study; prospective studies; neoplasms; metastasis; infection; incidence; risk factors; risk factor; long term care; catheterization, peripheral; chi-square distribution; home care; outpatient care; central venous catheter; institutional care; catheterization, central venous; humans; human; male; female; priority journal; article; peripherally inserted central venous catheter
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Oncology
Volume: 20
Issue: 15
ISSN: 0732-183X
Publisher: American Society of Clinical Oncology  
Date Published: 2002-08-01
Start Page: 3276
End Page: 3281
Language: English
DOI: 10.1200/jco.2002.11.135
PUBMED: 12149302
PROVIDER: scopus
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 14 November 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Kent A Sepkowitz
    272 Sepkowitz
  2. Louise Walshe
    4 Walshe
  3. Sharp Malak
    13 Malak
  4. Janet A Eagan
    39 Eagan