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: I (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. (C) 2009 European Cystic Fibrosis Society. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.