Peripherally inserted central catheter associated UEDVT in cancer patients: a retrospective review

Objective: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC)-related upper extremity deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT) is complicated and highly associated with malignancy in patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate PICC usage patterns and determinate if any clinical variables or high-risk technical variables are related to UEDVT in cancer patients with PICC. Methods: Clinical and technical variables were collected in 2861 cancer patients with PICC inserted from the medical record and tested for independent association with UEDVT by monofactorial and multivariable analysis. Risk factors were identified by logistic regression analysis and analyzed for the impact on UEDVT. Results: Diagnosis, chemotherapy and PICC insertion with real-time ultrasound guidance (or Seldinger technique) were investigated carefully, which significantly reduced the incidence of UEDVT ultrasound and exhibited abilities to dramatically reduce the incidence of PICC-related thrombosis (P<0.05). Conclusion: The ultrasound-guided method combined with Seldinger PICC as well as manipulation of technical variables can effectively reduce the incidence of UEDVT.