Application of peripherally inserted central catheter in acute myeloid leukaemia patients undergoing induction chemotherapy

Increasingly, peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are applied in patients with haematological malignancies. The feasibility and safety of PICC for induction chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) remain unclear. Medical records of 89 newly diagnosed adult de novo AML patients, who achieved complete remission, were retrospectively reviewed (PICC group, n=43; intravenous [IV] line group, n=46). Patients' clinical characteristics and the number of blind punctures for blood sampling were compared between these two groups, and risk factors associated with bacteraemia were identified by univariate analysis. Patients in the PICC group experienced significantly fewer blind punctures than those in the IV line group (3.3 +/- 3.6 vs. 14.4 +/- 6.0; p=.000); 20.9% of PICC patients had bacteraemia, compared with 23.9% in the IV line group (p=.803). Most patients (76.7%) removed their PICC because treatment was completed. PICC increased the quality of life in AML patients undergoing chemotherapy induction by reducing the number of blind blood punctures required. Bacteraemia in PICC patients was comparable to that in IV line patients. PICC is, therefore, a feasible and safe central venous device for use in AML patients.