What is PICC catheterization, and what are its functions?

Generally, PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) refers to a new medical technique developed in recent years that provides a long-term venous access for critically ill children. The functions of the peripherally inserted central catheter include reducing repeated punctures, protecting peripheral blood vessels, ensuring safe intravenous infusion, facilitating multiple treatments, and improving patient comfort. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. What is it

The peripherally inserted central catheter is inserted via a peripheral vein, such as the basilic vein, median cubital vein, or cephalic vein. The catheter is advanced along the vein until its tip reaches the superior vena cava near the right atrium. This positioning ensures rapid systemic distribution of medications or nutrients while avoiding frequent punctures and damage to peripheral veins. It is primarily suitable for patients requiring long-term intravenous infusion or administration of corrosive drugs.

II. Functions

1. Reduce repeated punctures

For patients requiring long-term intravenous infusions, such as those with chronic diseases or cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, peripherally inserted central catheters can reduce the frequency of venous punctures. This avoids the pain caused by multiple punctures, lowers the risk of vascular injury, and reduces complications such as infections caused by repeated punctures.

2. Protect peripheral blood vessels

Some highly irritating medications, such as chemotherapy drugs and high-concentration nutritional solutions, may cause phlebitis or vascular sclerosis when administered directly through peripheral veins. However, peripherally inserted central catheters can deliver these medications directly to the central veins with high blood flow, where the drugs can be rapidly diluted, thus reducing vascular irritation and damage and effectively protecting peripheral veins.

3. Ensure safe intravenous infusion

The material and design of the peripherally inserted central catheter allow it to remain in the body for a prolonged period, ensuring the smoothness and stability of the infusion process. This is particularly important for patients needing long-term infusions or administration of special medications, as it avoids interruptions caused by vascular issues, ensuring continuity and safety of treatment.

4. Facilitate multiple treatments

The peripherally inserted central catheter can serve as a venous access for various treatment methods, including intravenous infusions, blood transfusions, and drug injections. Especially for patients needing simultaneous administration of multiple medications or undergoing complex treatments, the peripherally inserted central catheter offers great convenience, reducing the difficulty and time cost of procedures during treatment.

5. Improve patient comfort

Compared with traditional venipuncture, the peripherally inserted central catheter reduces patient anxiety and discomfort. During the catheter indwelling period, patients' daily activities are largely unaffected, allowing them to receive infusion therapy at home or outside the hospital, thereby improving their quality of life. It also reduces pain and inconvenience caused by repeated punctures, enabling patients to undergo treatment more easily.

The peripherally inserted central catheter is a safe and effective medical technique that provides an effective treatment option for patients requiring long-term intravenous infusions. However, attention must be paid to various precautions and maintenance requirements during use to reduce the occurrence of complications and risks.