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"This study was carried out to understand PICC-related complications, specifically infections and causal pathogens, in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, South India" Arjun et al (2023).

PICC CLABSI risk single center research study

Abstract:

Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are central venous catheters inserted peripherally but terminate in great vessels. PICCs are widely used for patients requiring long-term intravenous therapy in both in-patient and out-patient settings.

Aim: This study was carried out to understand PICC-related complications, specifically infections and causal pathogens, in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, South India.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of PICC insertions and follow-up during a 9 years period to look at patient demographics and infections related to PICC was carried out.

Results: The overall PICC-related complication rate is 28.1% (4.98 per 1000 PICC days). Commonest complication was thrombosis followed by infection, either PICC-associated bloodstream infection (PABSI) or local infection (LI). PABSI noted in this study was 1.34 per 1000 catheter days. The majority (85%) of PABSI were due to Gram-negative rods. The average duration of PICC days for occurrence of PABSI was 14 days and the majority occurred in in-patients.

Conclusion: Thrombosis and infection were the commonest PICC-related complications. PABSI rate was comparable to that of previous studies.


Reference:

Arjun R, Niyas VKM, Sasidharan A, Jomes J, Yadav MK, Kesavan S. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters-associated blood stream infections-occurrence, risk factors, and pathogens, a single center study. J Infect Prev. 2023 Jul;24(4):187-192. doi: 10.1177/17571774231165404. Epub 2023 Apr 18. PMID: 37333869; PMCID: PMC10273803.