What Is A PICC Line? | 合法醫療器材資訊網

PICCisanacronymforaPeripherallyInsertedCentralCatheter,anditis,inessence,alongIVline.Itisusuallyinsertedinasmallerveinintheupperarm ...

This is one of the most common questions that patients have when they are told that they need home infusions. PICC is an acronym for a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter, and it is, in essence, a long IV line. It is usually inserted in a smaller vein in the upper arm (peripheral), and terminates in a larger vein in the chest near the heart (central). “Catheter” is just another name for “tube” in the medical lexicon.

PICC lines are inserted by certified PICC specialists, who use ultrasound and X-ray images to ensure that the line is in the correct spot. PICC lines can have 1-3 lumens, which allow medications to be attached and flow through the line.  Additionally, blood draws for lab purposes can also be extracted from the line.  The one pictured has two lumens, which have orange “caps” to help keep the line sterile.  Sometimes these caps are blue as well.

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