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Indications
for Needing a PICC Line
Peripherally inserted
central catheters are used to obtain central venous
access in patients undergoing treatment in acute care
facilities, home health agencies and skilled nursing
care in a variety of settings. PICC lines are reliable
alternatives to other central venous catheters and have
lower risks of complications. B ut a PICC is not appropriate
for all the patients. Therefore, proper patient selection
taking into consideration indications and needs for
use, risks versus benefits, contraindications and complications
must be considered prior to insertion of a PICC.
Some of the various
indications of a peripherally inserted central catheter
are as follows:
Long Term Chemotherapy:
Chemotherapy is medication administered to treat some
types of cancer. Chemotherapeutic drugs can be administered
either orally or intravenously depending on the type
of the medication. Some of the agents cause damage to
the tissues and require infusion into large vessels
to minimize, if not eliminate, such damage. The PICC
line is ideal for this purpose and can be used for a
few weeks, months and up to one year with proper care
before it is discontinued. PICC line can be used for
short infusions or continuous infusions of the chemotherapeutic
medications.
Hyperalimentation:
Hyperalimentation is a form of nutrition that does not
utilize the digestive system. It nourishes the body
completely through IV access and given to patients who
are unable to process and absorb nutrients because of
persistent vomiting, severe diarrhea or intestinal diseases.
All the proteins, calories, vitamins and minerals can
be given through the venous system but must be given
through a central vein, such as the Superior Vena Cava
(SVC), to prevent complications. Hyperalimentation is
usually continued for long periods of time and because
a PICC line can remain for such duration, it is ideal
for this use.
Repeated Administration
of Blood or Blood Products: Patients with blood
disorders, such as anemia, low platelet counts, or coagulation
disorders, may require repeated blood or blood products.
PICC lines can serve this purpose as they can stay for
a longer time avoiding repeated catheter insertion.
In addition, most have large gauge lumens necessary
to accommodate blood administration.
Venous Blood Sampling:
Patients often require repeated blood sampling to obtain
lab values. PICC lines are often used to provide such
laboratory samples, often on a daily basis.
Reduced Number of
Needle Punctures to Skin: Very ill patients may
not tolerate repeated needle pricks. Repeated puncture
to the skin also increase risk of infection, which can
worsen the condition of an already sick patient. PICC
lines help in avoiding repeated skin pricks for various
reasons such as requiring multiple IV sites, replacement
of existing sites, or blood sampling, and, therefore,
quite beneficial. This is especially true in neonatal
intensive care units where the preterm and low birth
weight babies succumb to problems very rapidly and repeated
skin pricks can increase the risk of infection.
Measurement of Central
Venous Pressure: Central venous pressure monitoring
is often obtained in patients with cardiovascular disturbances,
especially those undergoing treatment in ICU. Since
the tip of the PICC line is advanced near the heart,
it can be used to measure the central venous pressure.
This helps in assessing the status of the patient and
to determine whether he is improving or deteriorating.
The consumer health information
on this Website is for informational and educational
purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice
or treatment for any medical conditions.
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