THE USE OF A PICC CATHETER IN PATIENTS WITH MALIGNANT HEMATOLOGICAL DISEASES TREATED AT CLINICAL HOSPITAL CENTER SPLIT

Abstract

Objective: Recently, the question of adequate venous access for the purpose of treating our patients has been raised more and more often. With the frequent increase in difficulty securing the venous path, the need to place a central venous catheter increases. For many years, peripherally inserted central venous catheter and Midline catheter are indicated for long-term use of drugs, primarily in hematological patients. The aim of this paper is to present the experience of placing a peripherally introduced central venous catheter at the KBC Split Internal Medicine Clinic.

   Methods: Foruteen peripherally inserted central venous catheters were placed at the Internal Medicine Clinic at the Department of Intensive Care Medicine for the specific treatment of hematological patients. As a catheter placement procedure, a modified Sedinger technique was used with the help of a portable ultrasound machine.

   Results: The catheter placement procedure in all patients was without complications. In two patients, during the therapeutic procedure, thrombosis developed in the vein in which the catheter was placed, and in one patient the catheter had to be removed due to an infection caused by the catheter. One patient died during treatment.

   Conclusion: These catheters enable healthcare workers to adequately and safely apply therapy, and ensure a shorter hospital stay for the patient without significant complications.