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Evaluation Techniques of the PICC Tip Placement

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Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters

Abstract

Correct tip position of a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) is of paramount importance in order to ensure good catheter performances and to prevent severe complications such as venous thrombosis or vessel/heart perforation. PICCs are prone to high rates of primary malposition if placed without any intraoperative method of tip control, due to their pronounced flexibility and the long route they must go through to reach the atriocaval junction.

Primary tip malposition not only exposes the patient to a wide range of infusion-related complications but also increases the average cost of the procedure, especially in high-volume centers, as it requires at least an over-guidewire replacement, in most cases a completely new venipuncture. An updated review of available techniques for controlling the position of the tip of the central catheter together with a proposal of a comprehensive algorithm to help choosing the best tip verification procedure is provided here.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Surgical Sciences, “A. Gemelli” Hospital – Catholic University, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome, 00168, Italy

    Antonio La Greca

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  1. Antonio La Greca
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Correspondence to Antonio La Greca .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Visceral Sarcoma and Rare Cancers Unit, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy

    Sergio Sandrucci

  2. Digestive, Colorectal and Oncological Surgery Unit, University of Turin Medical School, Turin, Italy

    Baudolino Mussa

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La Greca, A. (2014). Evaluation Techniques of the PICC Tip Placement. In: Sandrucci, S., Mussa, B. (eds) Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5665-7_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-5665-7_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-5664-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-5665-7

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