Medical

PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter)

What is a PICC line?

A PICC is a long, thin, flexible tube or catheter. It is inserted into one of the large veins of the arm near the bend of the elbow. It is then pushed into the vein until the tip sits in a large vein just above your heart.

Gerry's PICC (click picture)

What is it used for?

The PICC line can be used to give you treatments such as chemotherapy or antibiotics. It can also be used to take samples of your blood for testing. You can go home with the PICC in and it can be left in for weeks or months. This makes it possible for you to have your treatment without having to have needles frequently inserted into your veins. This may be particularly helpful if your veins are hard to find or have been affected by previous treatment.

How is the catheter put in?

Your PICC will be put in by a specially trained nurse or doctor, in an outpatient department or on the ward. It will be put in using a local anesthetic, so that you do not feel any pain.

First, the skin in the area where the PICC will be inserted is numbed, using a special cream or local anesthetic needle. When the skin is completely numb a needle will be inserted and then removed as the PICC is threaded through it into the large vein which leads to your heart. This procedure should not take long and should be painless. The PICC will be held securely in place by a transparent dressing. You will then have a chest x-ray or ultrasound to check that the end of the tube is in the right place.

Possible problems when putting in the PICC

If your veins are small, it may be difficult to put the PICC in. Sometimes it can be difficult to thread the PICC up the vein towards the heart. If this happens, it is possible to try again using a different vein.

Sometimes the PICC seems to go in easily but the x-ray shows it is not in the right place. If this happens it will be taken out and another one put in.

How do I care for my PICC?

When the catheter is not being used there is a slight risk that it may become blocked. To stop this happening a small amount of fluid is flushed into the catheter using a syringe. This is done regularly, usually once or twice a week. The dressing will also need to be changed each week to reduce the risk of infection.

As it is difficult to do this yourself with one hand, the nurses at the hospital may do it for you or arrange for a District Nurse to visit you at home. A partner, relative or friend can also be taught to do this if they feel happy to.

Possible problems

Infection

It is possible for an infection to develop inside or around the place where the catheter goes into the vein. If this area becomes red, swollen or oozes, or if you develop a temperature, you should tell your doctor. You may be given antibiotics, or occasionally, the catheter may have to be removed.

Clots

It is possible for a blood clot (thrombosis) to form in your vein at the tip of the PICC. You may be given a tablet to take each day to help prevent this happening. If you do develop a blood clot the line may have to be removed. You will then be given medicines to dissolve the clot.

Break or cut in the PICC

It is important that you do not get a cut or split in the PICC line. Do not use scissors near the PICC. If it does get damaged you should contact your doctor immediately as it may need to be removed, although sometimes it can be repaired.

How is the PICC removed?

When you no longer need a PICC it will be taken out. A nurse will usually do this for you in an out patient department. It will be gently pulled out. This is a painless procedure and only takes a few minutes.

Source: www.cancerbacup.org.uk

The other version...

PIC Line (Percutaneous Intravenous Catheter)

Sometimes it is necessary to receive medicine or other fluids intravenously (in the vein). If it is needed for a long period of time, the doctor might consider a PIC line as the best option for you. PIC lines are long, flexible tubes inserted into a large vein, usually near the elbow. The tube (medically speaking, all tubes are called catheters) is threaded up the vein until its tip reaches the large veins inside the chest. PIC lines do not usually require surgery for placement, so doctors may be less worried about them becoming infected. A PIC line can remain in place for several weeks or more. They are especially helpful for patients who need to receive medication at home for a long time. It is not uncomfortable. Most people have no trouble with them, and they can remain quite active while having one in place. PIC lines have bandages that are placed over the insertion site to make sure it doesn't get accidentally tugged. This bandage has to be changed every day or two. A PIC line can be used for several kinds of injections, therefore, the patient doesn't have to be poked so many times.