Complications of percutaneously inserted central venous catheters in Japanese neonates

Abstract

To determine institutional policies concerning percutaneously inserted central venous catheter (PICC) utilization and also frequencies of complications such as pericardial effusion (PCE), cardiac tamponade (CT), pleural effusion, ascites, venous thrombosis, and catheter removal difficulties. Nationwide postal questionnaire survey was carried out that included institutional policies on PICC and numbers of complications recorded from January 1999 to December 2003. A total of 98 replies were received from 193 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Japan. As a catheter tip location, positions outside of the heart were highly preferred, while only 9% accepted a right atrial position. Twenty-eight cases of PCE or CT were reported, representing an estimated frequency of 0.07-0.11% of PICC insertions. Pleural effusion/ascites and removal difficulties (36 and 35 cases, respectively) were encountered in approximately 0.09-0.14% of insertions. Frequency of PCE/CT appeared comparable to previously reported occurrences. Also, pleural effusion/ascites and removal difficulty appeared to be rare complications.