How long can a PICC line stay in

You can have chemotherapy and other drugs and fluids through a PICC line. 

PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter. It’s a type of central line.

The line goes into a vein in your arm, under local anaesthetic. A doctor or nurse can put it in during an outpatient appointment. The line runs up the vein inside your arm and ends up in a large vein in your chest.

PICC lines can be left in for several months and used in a similar way to other central lines.

Possible problems

Sometimes problems can happen with PICC lines:

• you may get an infection
• the line may get blocked
• a blood clot can develop
• a PICC line may split, but this is very rare

The line is flushed regularly with heparin (an anti clotting drug) or salt water (saline) to clean the line and prevent clotting. The nurses on the ward can teach you or your carer how to do this. Your district nurse can help you at home at first.

It’s very important to avoid getting an infection in the area where your line goes into your body. Phone the hospital and speak to your chemotherapy nurse or doctor if you notice any redness, swelling, oozing or soreness. These could be signs of infection.

You’ll need to have treatment with antibiotics straight away if you do develop an infection. Otherwise, a doctor or nurse may have to remove the line and put a new one in.

If you are not having treatment regularly, you or your nurse needs to clean and flush the line regularly to keep it clear and to stop you developing any problems.

• Overview
• Procedure Details
• Risks / Benefits
• Additional Details

Overview

What is a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)?

A peripherally inserted central catheter or “PICC” is a thin, soft, flexible tube — an intravenous (IV) line. Treatments, such as IV medications, can be given though a PICC. Blood for laboratory tests can also be withdrawn from a PICC.

Procedure Details

How is a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) inserted?

• A specially trained nurse or doctor will use an ultrasound machine to find the veins in your upper arm.
• Your arm will be cleaned and covered with a sterile cloth to prevent infection.
• Medicine is used to numb the area where the PICC will be placed. The PICC will be inserted into a vein just above the bend of your elbow and guided into a large vein in your chest. Most patients feel little or no discomfort during this procedure.
• Once the PICC is in place, it is held to your arm with special tape and covered with a sterile dressing.
• A chest x-ray is taken afterwards to make sure the PICC is in the right place.
• You will be able to bend your arm and use your arm just as you would without the PICC in place.

Risks / Benefits

What are the benefits of using a PICC?

• A PICC is more comfortable compared with the many “needle sticks” that would have been needed for giving medications and drawing blood. The goal is to spare your veins from these frequent “needle sticks.”
• A PICC can also spare your veins and blood vessels from the irritating effects of IV medications.
• A PICC can be used in the hospital setting, nursing facility, or at home and can stay in place for weeks or months, if needed.
• A PICC can be used for many types of IV treatments.
• A PICC can be used to obtain most blood tests.

What are the risks during and after placement of a PICC?

• There may be slight discomfort during the procedure.
• Bleeding may occur at the insertion site.
• It is sometimes necessary to attempt more than once and it may not be possible to insert the entire length of the PICC.
• During insertion of a PICC, accidental puncture of an artery, nerve, or tendon can occur near the insertion site. However, this is a rare event.
• A clot may form around the catheter in the vein (thrombosis), which can cause swelling and pain in the arm.
• Inflammation in a vein (phlebitis) can develop from the use of all types of IVs, including PICCs.
• An infection may occur at the insertion site or in the bloodstream.
• The PICC can come out, partially or completely, if not well-secured and completely covered.
• The PICC can move out of position in the vein and may need to be removed or repositioned.
• The PICC may become blocked. Medication may need to be used to clear it.

Additional Details

Are there other options for receiving IV treatments?

• Short IV catheters can be placed in the arm or hand. These require frequent changes and are not suitable for some solutions and medications.
• A central venous catheter can be inserted into a vein in the neck, upper chest or groin. This type of catheter is for short-term use (less than 2 weeks) and can only be used in the hospital.
• There are other permanent types of catheters (Hickman and ports) that are inserted in the operating room.

Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information

enews