The peripherally inserted central catheter: what are the current indications for its use?

The use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) has dramatically increased since first being used for IV therapy in the 1980s. Currently, sales of PICCs are second only to acute care central venous catheters and exceed all other types of long-term venous access devices. The use of PICCs has also increased dramatically in the home care setting. A number of studies have examined the incidence of PICC complications in comparison to other central venous access devices. Although complications differ, most reports have concluded that the type and rate of PICC complications compare favorably with other access devices in the short-term; however, dwell times beyond a few weeks have been associated with decreased complication-free days and lower device survivability rates. The PICC seems to be most appropriate for acute care or short-term home care use and may not be the ideal central venous access device when the need for long-term access is anticipated.