PICC lines are usually inserted by interventional radiologists or specially trained health professionals and is a sterile procedure.  A PICC line may have two or three channels, known as double or triple lumens.  This allows different treatments to be given at the same time.  The catheter tail (end of the tube outside the body) has a special cap or bung that can be attached to a drip or syringe. Sometimes a clamp may be attached to keep the line closed when it is not in use. 

You can go home with a PICC line in place, and it can be left in for a number of weeks or even months.  A PICC line is helpful if doctors and nurses find it difficult to get needles into you veins or if the walls of your veins have hardened from previous chemotherapy treatment. A PICC line is also helpful if you do not like needles.

PICC lines are used for a variety of treatments, such as:

• Prolonged Intravenous (IV) antibiotic treatment
• Chemotherapy
• Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN), where all nutritional needs of the body as supplied intravenously. This bypasses the digestive system by dripping a nutrient solution directly into a vein.
• To continue treatment e.g. the administration of fluids and medication for patients at home or in non-hospital care 

The procedure is conducted in an angiography suite (“cath lab”) at Intra in Epsom or North Harbour. Your specialist will be assisted by nurses and other highly trained staff.

Ultrasound is used to locate the vein in the arm. You will be awake during the procedure but your arm will be numbed with local anaesthetic before the PICC line is introduced. You should not feel pain at the entry site but there may still be some non-painful sensations such as pressure.

A small needle is inserted into the vein and the catheter is then threaded through the vein into a bigger vein near the heart.

After inserting the PICC line and the procedure is complete, the catheter is secured with a dressing on your arm to ensure it remains in place and does not move.  The sterile dressing also protects the site from infection.  The PICC line can be used immediately following placement.

This procedure generally takes between 20 and 40 minutes. 

A PICC line may be used if you need treatment for:

• Long term medication treatment and cannot take medication by mouth
• Fluids - if you cannot drink to stay hydrated
• Chemotherapy
• Calories that you cannot get by eating
• IV medications - if arm veins are hard to find or use

• Fasting: You may eat until 2 hours before admission then you should not have anything to eat. You may continue to drink clear fluids. Check with your doctor but you should usually continue all your regular medications. You can take them on the morning of the procedure with a sip of water.
• Allergies or previous reactions to contrast (x-ray dye): Please inform Mercy Angiography staff at the time of booking your procedure if you have any known history of allergies, particularly allergies to x-ray contrast and seafood.
• Diabetes: If you are a diabetic you should tell the Mercy Angiography staff at the time of booking. You may need to discuss your insulin dose with your cardiologist.
• Warfarin or Coumadin: If you are taking Warfarin (a “blood thinner”) you should make this known to Mercy Angiography staff at the time of booking. It is likely that you will need to stop this medication temporarily for a few days before angiography.
• Other usual medications: Continue these unless advised otherwise by your cardiologist. In particular, please continue taking your aspirin.

After the procedure you will be looked after for a short time by our qualified staff before you can leave Intra.

Your PICC line will need special care after insertion. When the line is not being used, there is a slight risk it may become blocked.  To stop this happening, a small amount of fluid is flushed into the line using a syringe. This is done regularly - usually once a week.  As it is difficult to do this yourself with one hand, a nurse at the hospital will do it for you or arrange for a nurse to visit you at home.

When you are at home it is safe to have a shower or a bath with your PICC line in place. Your nurse can provide you with waterproof dressings.

Your doctor will discuss the specific risks and potential benefits of the procedure with you.

Some of the possible risks include:

• Developing an infection inside the line or at the entry site
• Bleeding
• Nerve injury where the catheter has been inserted
• A small amount of clot can build up in the vein around the catheter

There may be other possible risks. When you meet with your doctor, please ask questions to make sure you understand why the procedure is recommended and what the potential risks are. 

In most cases, removing the PICC line is a simple procedure. Generally the catheter line can be safely and quickly removed in a matter of minutes.  After removal the insertion the site is normally bandaged with a sterile dressing and kept dry for a few days, during which the wound can close and begin healing.