Tunneled Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) in Adult Patients and Associated Outcomes

The Subcutaneous tunnelling group will undergo PICC placement under ultrasonography. Procedures will be implemented under hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier, and chlorhexidine. The targeted arm will be sterilized with a mixture of chlorhexidine and isopropyl alcohol, and a sterile drape will be placed to cover the entire procedure feld from head to toe and place with additional subcutaneous tunnelling. After vein puncture with the access needle, a Nitinol guidewire will be placed as usual. We will make a tunnel distal to the initial venepuncture site using an additional 14-gauge needle. After resolution of the loop over the venepuncture site, a peel-away sheath will be placed over the wire. The catheter will be trimmed to the distance between the venepuncture site and cavoatrial junction plus the subcutaneous tunnel before being inserted in the usual manner.

The Non-tunnelling group will have PICC placement with the traditional method under ultrasonography. Procedures will be implemented under hand hygiene, maximal sterile barrier, and chlorhexidine. The targeted arm will be sterilized with a mixture of chlorhexidine and isopropyl alcohol, and a sterile drape will be placed to cover the entire procedure feld from head to toe. After vein puncture with the access needle, a Nitinol guidewire will be placed. After, a peel-away sheath will be placed over the wire. The catheter will be trimmed to the distance between the venepuncture site and cavoatrial junction.