A peripherally inserted central catheter, also called a percutaneous indwelling central catheter or longline, is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time, for instance for long chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotic therapy or total parenteral nutrition, or for administration of substances that should not be given peripherally, such as antihypotensive agents known as pressors. It is a catheter that enters the body through the skin at a peripheral site, extends to the superior vena cava, a central venous trunk, and stays in place within the veins for days, weeks or even months. First described in 1975, it is an alternative to central venous catheters placed in major veins such as the subclavian vein, the internal jugular vein or the femoral vein, and while subclavian and jugular line placements may result in pneumothorax, air in the pleural space of the lung, peripherally inserted central catheters have no such issue because of their method of placement.
Facts
FAQs
How does a PICC line differ from other central venous catheters?
A PICC line avoids the pneumothorax risk of subclavian and jugular placements because of how it is inserted.
A PICC line, first described in 1975, is an alternative to central venous catheters placed in major veins such as the subclavian vein, the internal jugular vein or the femoral vein. The source notes that subclavian and jugular line placements may result in pneumothorax, which is air in the pleural space of the lung, while PICC lines have no such issue because of the method of placement.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikipedia contributors, Wikimedia Foundation
2. Peripherally inserted central catheter (Wikipedia)
- First described in 1975, article intro
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripherally_inserted_central_catheter, lead section
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PICC line), also called a percutaneous indwelling central catheter or longline, is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time (e.g., for long chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotic therapy, or total parenteral nutrition) or for administration of substances that should not be done peripherally (e.g., antihypotensive agents a.k.a. pressors).
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