Intravenous peripherally-inserted central catheters for antibiotic therapy in children with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND

We aimed to evaluate the use of central catheters introduced by a peripheral vein (PICC) in children with CF.

METHODS

A descriptive study in patients in whom a PICC (Beckton Dickinson) was inserted.

RESULTS

24 children aged (median (range) 10.2 years (0.3-17.3) undergoing 44 procedures were included. PICC was successfully inserted in 93.2% (41/44) of cases. Total procedure duration was (median (range)) 32.5 (10-105) minutes. The operators encountered few difficulties, median (range) 2 (1-10) (1 (absence) to 10 (maximal)); median (range) 1 (1 to 5) attempt per child). No major side effects or infections were observed. PICC obstruction in 5 (12%) cases was successfully unblocked in 4 cases (urokinase). The catheter was functional throughout the antibiotic course in 40/41 cases. A final Doppler scan (30 cases) showed total permeability of the central veins in all cases. Satisfaction index of the operators and the patients were high: median (range) 9.5 (1-10) and 8.0 (6-10) (scale: 1 (worse) to 10 (best)), respectively.

CONCLUSION

PICCs are simple to use, and may be safely inserted in the ward. Such catheters are well tolerated, may increase the well-being of children with CF and prove an effective means by which to deliver IV therapy in this population.