Research Article – Clinical Research and Trials | Peripherally inserted central catheters in the oncological setting: An Italian experience of 3700 patients
Research Article – Clinical Research and Trials
ISSN: 2059-0377 – Volume 7: 1-8
ISSN: 2059-0377 – Volume 7: 1-8
Peripherally inserted central catheters in the oncological setting: An Italian experience of 3700 patients
Pietro Antonio Zerla 1*, Carlotta Galeone 2, Claudio Pelucchi 3, Giuseppe Caravella 4, Alessandra Gilardini 4, Canelli Antonio 1, Lidia Cerne 1, Andrea De Monte 5, Marta Gianoli5 and Enrico Ballerini6
1Vascular Access Team, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
2Bicocca Applied Statistics Center (B-ASC), Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
3Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
4Hospital Pharmacy, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
5Department of Oncology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
6Department of Nursing Professions, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
1Vascular Access Team, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
2Bicocca Applied Statistics Center (B-ASC), Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
3Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
4Hospital Pharmacy, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
5Department of Oncology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
6Department of Nursing Professions, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale Melegnano e della Martesana, Milan, Italy
Abstract
Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are increasingly used in the treatment of several conditions, including cancer. Use of
PICCs may lead to complications, and various potential factors have been associated to their occurrence. Still, quantitative data on the issue are limited.
Objective: Main aims of this study are to provide information on the durability of PICC in oncological patients and to identify which factors are
associated to complications leading to PICC removal.
Interventions/Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study of adult patients with onco-haematological diseases. An expert venous access
team managed the full pathway of PICC use. Complications were continuously recorded according to hospital protocol. PICC survival was analysed
using Kaplan-Meier curves and through multivariate hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: A total of 3700 patients were included during 2010-2018, for over 450,000 PICC-days. The HRs of PICC removal were 1.006 (95%CI, 1.001-
1.011) for each 1-year increase in patient age, 1.35 (95%CI, 1.08-1.70) for referral to the oncology vs. surgery ward, 1.62 (95%CI, 1.32-1.99) for use
of PICC for parenteral nutrition vs. chemotherapy administration, and 3.01 (95%CI, 2.58-3.50) for use of open-tip vs. closed-tip PICC.
Conclusions: This Real-World analysis provided new quantitative evidence showing overall long survival times of PICCs in oncological patients.
Both patient-related and treatment-related features were associated to PICC complications.
Implications for Practice: PICCs were confirmed as a secure and long-lasting venous access device for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
In this oncological population, closed-tip PICCs showed overall better performances than open-tip PICCs.
Background: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are increasingly used in the treatment of several conditions, including cancer. Use of
PICCs may lead to complications, and various potential factors have been associated to their occurrence. Still, quantitative data on the issue are limited.
Objective: Main aims of this study are to provide information on the durability of PICC in oncological patients and to identify which factors are
associated to complications leading to PICC removal.
Interventions/Methods: This is an observational, retrospective study of adult patients with onco-haematological diseases. An expert venous access
team managed the full pathway of PICC use. Complications were continuously recorded according to hospital protocol. PICC survival was analysed
using Kaplan-Meier curves and through multivariate hazard ratios (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: A total of 3700 patients were included during 2010-2018, for over 450,000 PICC-days. The HRs of PICC removal were 1.006 (95%CI, 1.001-
1.011) for each 1-year increase in patient age, 1.35 (95%CI, 1.08-1.70) for referral to the oncology vs. surgery ward, 1.62 (95%CI, 1.32-1.99) for use
of PICC for parenteral nutrition vs. chemotherapy administration, and 3.01 (95%CI, 2.58-3.50) for use of open-tip vs. closed-tip PICC.
Conclusions: This Real-World analysis provided new quantitative evidence showing overall long survival times of PICCs in oncological patients.
Both patient-related and treatment-related features were associated to PICC complications.
Implications for Practice: PICCs were confirmed as a secure and long-lasting venous access device for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
In this oncological population, closed-tip PICCs showed overall better performances than open-tip PICCs.
