PICC stands for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter

A PICC is a longer line inserted in a peripheral vein, such as the cephalic vein, basilic vein or brachial vein
and then advanced through increasingly larger veins, toward the heart until the tip rests in the distal superior vena cava or cavo-atrial junction.

These lines are used for the semi longterm administration of total parental nutrition (TPN), drugs and chemotherapy.

The tip has to lie in a larger lumen for the adequate dispersal of nutritional fluids which may cause an embolus if injected peripherally.

The PICC line has a fine calibre and may be difficult to see on x-ray.

It is often inserted into the vein using ultrasound guidance and checked for correct position with fluoroscopy in the angiography department.













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