Uso de catéter venoso central de inserción periférica en pediatría

Abstract

Introduction: Central venous catheter of peripheral insertion (PICC) can stay installed from several days up to months without removal. It allows the administration of extreme pH and osmolarity solutions, irritating and/or vesicant drugs, parenteral nutrition and other medications for prolonged periods in patients with complicated peripheral venous access. Objective: To describe the experience with PICCs in hospitalized pediatric. Patients and Methods: Observational and descriptive study on 337 patients hospitalized in the Pediatrics Service of the Clinical Hospital of Catholic University of Chile between 2001 and 2011, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and had a PICCs installed by trained nurses. Results: The patients' average age was of 36 months. Main indication for installing PICC was prolonged antibiotic therapy, in 67.1% of cases. The most widely used venous route was the upper limb, in 52.2%. The mean average time in which the PICC remained in the body was of 9 days, ranging between 1 and 90 days. The main cause for PICC withdrawal was the end of therapy in 75.3%. The observed complications were: occlusion and catheter associated infection in 8.9% and 2.9% respectively. Conclusion: PICC is an excellent alternative for prolonged intravenous therapy; but, it is very important to keep on a team of well-trained nurses, both in the insertion as well in the maintenance of the PICC during the time it remains in the body.