Comparison of outcomes from tunnelled femorally inserted central catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters: a propensity score-matched cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare catheter-related outcomes of individuals who received a tunnelled femorally inserted central catheter (tFICC) with those who received a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in the upper extremities. DESIGN: A propensity-score matched cohort study. SETTING: A 980-bed tertiary referral hospital in South West Sydney, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: In-patients referred to the hospital central venous access service for the insertion of a central venous access device. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome of interest was the incidence of all-cause catheter failure. Secondary outcomes included the rates of catheters removed because of suspected or confirmed catheter-associated infection, catheter dwell and confirmed upper or lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). RESULTS: The overall rate of all-cause catheter failure in the matched tFICC and PICC cohort was 2.4/1000 catheter days (95% CI 1.1 to 4.4) and 3.0/1000 catheter days (95% CI 2.3 to 3.9), respectively, and when compared, no difference was observed (difference -0.63/1000 catheter days, 95% CI -2.32 to 1.06). We found no differences in catheter dwell (mean difference of 14.2 days, 95% CI -6.6 to 35.0, p=0.910); or in the cumulative probability of failure between the two groups within the first month of dwell (p=0.358). No significant differences were observed in the rate of catheters requiring removal for confirmed central line-associated bloodstream infection (difference 0.13/1000 catheter day, 95% CI -0.36 to 0.63, p=0.896). Similarly, no significant differences were found between the groups for confirmed catheter-related DVT (difference -0.11 per 1000 catheter days, 95% CI -0.26 to 0.04, p=1.00). CONCLUSION: There were no differences in catheter-related outcomes between the matched cohort of tFICC and PICC patients, suggesting that tFICCs are a possible alternative for vascular access when the veins of the upper extremities or thoracic region are not viable for catheterisation.

Rapid Assessment of Vascular Exit Site and Tunneling Options (RAVESTO): A new decision tool in the management of the complex vascular access patients.

In the last decade, different standardized protocols have been developed for a systematic ultrasound venous assessment before central venous catheterization: RaCeVA (Rapid Central Vein Assessment), RaPeVA (Rapid Peripheral Vein Assessment), and RaFeVA (Rapid Femoral Vein Assessment). Such protocols were designed to locate the ideal puncture site to minimize insertion-related complications. Recently, subcutaneous tunneling of non-cuffed central venous access devices at bedside has also grown in acceptance. The main rationale for tunneling is to relocate the exit site based on patient factors and concerns for dislodgement. The tool we describe (RAVESTO-Rapid Assessment of Vascular Exit Site and Tunneling Options) defines the different options of subcutaneous tunneling and their indications in different clinical situations in patients with complex vascular access.

The SIC protocol: A seven-step strategy to minimize complications potentially related to the insertion of centrally inserted central catheters.

Insertion of central venous catheters in the cervico-thoracic area is potentially associated with the risk of immediate/early untoward events, some of them negligible (repeated punctures), some relevant (accidental arterial puncture), and some severe (pneumothorax). Furthermore, different strategies adopted during insertion may reduce or increase the incidence of late catheter-related complications (infection, venous thrombosis, dislodgment). This paper describes a standardized protocol (S.I.C.: Safe Insertion of Centrally Inserted Central Catheters) for the systematic application of seven basic beneficial strategies to be adopted during insertion of central venous catheters in the cervico-thoracic region, aiming to minimize immediate, early, or late insertion-related complications. These strategies include: preprocedural evaluation, appropriate aseptic technique, ultrasound guided insertion, intra-procedural assessment of the tip position, adequate protection of the exit site, proper securement of the catheter, and adequate coverage of the exit site.

The SIF protocol: A seven-step strategy to minimize complications potentially related to the insertion of femorally inserted central catheters.

The insertion of central venous catheters through the femoral veins is not uncommon and is potentially associated with the risk of immediate puncture-related complications and severe late complications as infection and thrombosis. As for other central venous access devices, the use of a standardized protocol of insertion and the correct application of evidence-based strategies are beneficial in reducing the risk of complications. We proposed a standardized protocol (S.I.F.: Safe Insertion of Femorally Inserted Central Catheters) consisting of seven strategies that should be part of vascular cannulation and should be adopted during the insertion of femoral venous catheters, aiming to minimize immediate, early and late insertion-related complications. These strategies include: preprocedural evaluation of the patient history and of the veins, appropriate aseptic technique, ultrasound guided puncture and cannulation of the vein, intra-procedural assessment of the tip position, adequate protection of the exit site, proper securement of the catheter, and appropriate coverage of the exit site.

Case report: End of life care via a mid-thigh femoral midline catheter.

Maintaining peripheral vascular access represents a major challenge for medical providers and patients leading to the emergence of ultrasound guided vascular access teams. Upper extremity peripheral vascular access options are often limited in the chronically ill patient population with end stage cancer, patients with severe contractures, tracheostomies, and feeding tubes and patients referred for palliative care are just some examples of patients who live with difficult access. The following is a case description of a mid-thigh superficial femoral vein midline catheter for comfort care medications in a patient with exhausted peripheral vasculature on hospice.

A triple tunnel from the mid-calf to the femoral vein in patient with severe dementia.

Achieving the ideal exit site is the new philosophy for complicated vascular access patients. Recent publications have described multiple venous access solutions such as tunneling to the scapular region, the chest to the arm, and from the femoral vein to the abdominal and patellar region. In the patients afflicted with delirium, dementia, or confusion even these sites may not be sufficient. The following case study illustrates a triple tunneled femoral catheter on a non-cooperative patient with inoperable endocarditis to be discharged and treated with long term antibiotics.

Achieving superficial femoral venous access in a critically ill COVID-19 patient in the prone position.

A 63-year-old obese male was admitted with acute respiratory failure secondary to COVID-19. Day 13 the patient decompensated, lapsing into a critical stage of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome, requiring immediate prone positioning. The Rapid Response Team managed the emergency intervention for intubation but was unable to establish central access with the patient in the prone position. A consult to the Vascular Access Team succeeded in establishing central catheter placement with an ultrasound-guided mid-thigh superficial femoral 55-centimeter triple lumen catheter. The terminal tip of the catheter was confirmed in the mid portion of the inferior vena cava.

Providing the conduit for treatment: The impact of vascular access and vein preservation in a 5-year-old child with prenatally diagnosed CRIM-negative Infantile Pompe disease.

Pompe disease is an autosomal recessive glycogen storage disorder resulting in progressive glycogen accumulation expressed in infancy with cardiomyopathy and skeletal myopathy. Without treatment by enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), life expectancy is less than 2 years. The cross-reactive immunologic material (CRIM) positive or negative status is the basis for the response to ERT. CRIM-negative patients mount an immune response to ERT, making this the most dangerous presentation. The following case study describes the 5-year course of the first successful treatment of an in utero CRIM-negative Pompe disease patient with prophylactic immune tolerance induction (ITI) and administration of ERT given within the first 2 days of life followed by ultrasound guided vascular access that facilitated by bi-weekly infusions and extensive phlebotomy.

Alternative exit sites for central venous access: Back tunneling to the scapular region and distal tunneling to the patellar region.

Uncooperative elderly patients with cognitive disorder are often confused and/or agitated. Risk of involuntary venous access device dislodgment is high in these patients. This is equally likely with peripherally inserted central catheters and centrally inserted central catheters but less common with femorally inserted central catheters. Solutions to this problem include strict continuous patient observation, using sutures or subcutaneous anchored securement, wrapping the arm to "hide" the line, or using soft mittens to occupy the hands. However, some patients are able to disrupt the dressing, dislodge the catheter, and often pull the catheter out completely. In some cases, the patient may also overcome the resistance offered by the stitches or by the subcutaneous anchored securement device. In a recent paper on the impact of subcutaneously anchored securement in preventing dislodgment, the only demonstrated failures occurred in non-compliant elderly patients. Creation of an alternative exit site is an emerging trend in patients with cognitive impairment at high risk for catheter dislodgement. Subcutaneous tunneling from traditional insertion sites such as the jugular, axillary, or femoral veins allows placement of the exit site in a region inaccessible to the patient. The following two case reports demonstrate the technique for tunneling a femorally inserted central catheter downward to the patellar region and for tunneling a centrally inserted central catheter to the scapular region. Internal review board approval was not deemed necessary as subcutaneous tunneling is not a new technique. In our experience, such maneuvers can be successfully performed at the bedside.

A retrospective analysis of the clinical effectiveness of subcutaneously tunneled femoral vein cannulations at the bedside: A low risk central venous access approach in the neonatal intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound (US)-guided, subcutaneously tunneled, femoral inserted central catheters (ST-FICCs) in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Following clinical success with ST-FICCs in adults, we expanded this practice to the neonatal population. In an 18-month retrospective cohort analysis (2018-2020) of 82 neonates, we evaluated the clinical outcome for procedural success, completion of therapy, and incidence of early and late complications for insertion of US-guided ST-FICCs in the NICU. RESULTS: Placement of ST-FICCs were successful in 100% of neonates (n = 82/82) with 94% to the right (n = 77/82) and 6% to the left common femoral veins (n = 5/82). Gestational age ranged 23-39 weeks with median age of 29 weeks. Birthweight ranged from 450 g to >2000 g. Weight at insertion ranged 570 to 3345 g and day of life 1 to 137, with median at day 5. Ultrasound guided femoral vein puncture was recorded on 74 patients, first attempt 63/74 (85%), second attempt 8/74 (11%) and third attempt 3/74 (4%). Catheter french used: 1.9Fr (n = 80/82), 2.6Fr (n = 1/82), and 3-Fr (n = 1/82). Catheter lengths were 8 to 20 cm, average 12cm. Catheter termination confirmed with posterior/anterior and lateral abdominal radiographs with inferior vena cava (IVC) (n = 33/82), IVC/right atrial junction (n = 31/82), or right atrium (n = 18/82). Atrial placements were retracted; no cases of malposition to the lumbar/renal/hepatic veins (n = 0/82). 1528 catheter days ranging 5 to 72 days (average 18). No insertion-related or post-insertion complications. All patients completed prescribed therapy with one catheter. CONCLUSION: Bedside placement of an ST-FICC is a safe route for central venous access in the NICU, preserving upper extremity vasculature, eliminates risks associated with sedation, fluoroscopy, tunneled and non-tunneled supra-diaphragmatic central venous insertion.

Venous catheter at alternate exit site in a 2-year-old requiring long-term antibiotics for osteomyelitis: A case report.

In the pediatric population, vascular access is often challenging to secure and to maintain, especially for long-term intravenous (IV) treatment. The traditional approach for patients who require long-term IV antibiotics is placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). The challenge in the pediatric population is the high risk of dislodgement after PICC placement, as these patients tend to pull their line out accidentally or purposefully. Current bedside options to prevent catheter dislodgement include adhesive securement devices, subcutaneous securement devices, sutures, and wrapping the site in gauze. However, these modalities often fail, leading to delay in administration of IV therapies, including life-saving antibiotics.A novel approach to this very common and serious issue is to tunnel the catheter subcutaneously, thereby placing the exit site in a location difficult for the patient to reach. Tunneled catheters generally are placed in children for long-term vascular access and insertion has primarily been reserved for surgeons in the operating room or by interventional radiologists. The following case report describes a central venous access catheter placed in the internal jugular vein and tunneled to the medial dorsal thoracic region successfully at the bedside, using intracavitary electrocardiogram (ECG) navigation under moderate sedation. Although a novel exit site, the technique of tunneling and use of the jugular vein is no different than traditional tunneling techniques therefore it was not deemed necessary to seek internal review board approval.

Rapid Femoral Vein Assessment (RaFeVA): A systematic protocol for ultrasound evaluation of the veins of the lower limb, so to optimize the insertion of femorally inserted central catheters.

In this paper we describe a new protocol-named RaFeVA (Rapid Femoral Vein Assessment)-for the systematic US assessment of the veins in the inguinal area and at mid-thigh, designed to evaluate patency and caliber of the common and superficial femoral veins and choose the best venipuncture site before insertion of a FICC.

Report of Modification for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement: Subcutaneous Needle Tunnel for High Upper Arm Placement.

The majority of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) are currently inserted with the aid of ultrasound guidance in the middle third of the upper arm. A growing patient population is presenting with challenging vessel access requiring placement of the PICC in the high upper third of the arm. To avoid this suboptimal exit site, a subcutaneous tunneling of the PICC is established away from the axilla to a more appropriate skin exit site. A prospective evaluation was performed in a single facility for all PICC placements from September 2014 to June 2015. Of the results of 685 PICC requests received during the study, 50 (7.2%) were placed with the modified Seldinger tunneling technique with 96% success. There were no reports of increased pain, insertion complications, or therapy failures. Subcutaneous tunneling, when applied to bedside PICC insertions, provides a safe, effective, and cost-efficient option for a select, more challenging patient population.