Can Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Be Safely Placed in Patients with Cancer Receiving Chemotherapy? A Retrospective Study of Almost 400,000 Catheter-Days.

CONCLUSION: Use of PICC for chemotherapy administration was associated with a low all-AEs rate. The basilic vein was the safer site, and valved systems had fewer AEs than open systems. More research is needed to explore the interaction between AEs, sex, and age.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These findings provide clinicians with evidence that peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are safe for chemotherapy administration. They also suggest that clinicians should limit the use of open systems when long chemotherapy regimens are scheduled. Moreover, alternatives to PICCs should be considered when administering chemotherapy to young men.
PMID: 30755503 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: The Oncologist - February 12, 2019 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Campagna S, Gonella S, Berchialla P, Morano G, Rigo C, Zerla PA, Fuzzi R, Corona G, Storto S, Dimonte V, Mussa B Tags: Oncologist Source Type: research