Abstract
Introduction: Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a form of vascular access device (VAD) that can be used for a prolonged period of time in cancer patients for diverse indications. Despite the many advantages, catheter related complications are common.
 Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate infection and thrombotic complications of PICCs in cancer patients.
 Methodology: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study, over a duration of thirty months from June 2015 to December 2017 in the Department of Haematology and Medical Oncology at our tertiary care, cancer hospital to assess, analyze and compare the infection and thrombotic complications in cancer patients with a PICC line. All patients with cancer who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled and were followed up until catheter removal. The basic information regarding PICCs insertion, weekly care and removal was maintained. The data were analyzed and compared to identify catheter related complications
 Result: Four hundred and sixty-one PICCs were monitored for a total of 57,438 catheter-days (mean of 124 days i.e. 4.15 months, range : 1 to 434 days). Out of these 461 PICCs, 29 (6.29%) had both infection and thrombotic complications, as a result of which 22 were removed in 57,438 catheter days. (ie catheter removal rate was 0.38 per 1000 PICC days). Infection complications were found more with hematological malignancies while thrombotic complication were predominant in solid tumours.
 Conclusion: Infection complications were more common in hematological cancer patients than solid cancers where thrombotic complications were more common.
Highlights
METHODOLOGYA peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a form of vascular access device (VAD) which was first described in 1975
Infec on complica ons were more common in hematological cancer pa ents than solid cancers where thrombo c complica ons were more common
The infec on and thrombo c complica ons related to PICCs in cancer pa ents have not been studied in detail in the Indian popula on, we prospec vely evaluated these complica ons in our study
Summary
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a form of vascular access device (VAD) which was first described in 1975. It is an alterna ve to centrally inserted central catheter, which was related to a higher rate of complica ons.[1] PICCs provide reliable and rela vely safe intravenous access in variedindica onsfordeliveryofanyinfusatelikechemotherapy and other intravenous fluids irrespec ve of pH, osmolarity, or other chemical proper es of the solu on or medica on.[2] Many intravenous medica ons cause direct chemical irrita on and vascular endothelial damage , but these drugs when infused through a PICCs are immediately diluted at the central line p by the high blood flow around the catheter which helps protect the vessel wall.[3] PICCs are made of either silicone or polyurethane, with the former being associated with lesser risk of thrombosis.[4]. Two major complica ons that occur with central venous access including PICCs are infec on and thrombosis. The types of infec on related to PICCs are either superficial, involving the venous puncture site, known as celluli s or those involving the blood stream i.e. catheter related
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