- Indications - Vasopressors, TPN, certain chemotherapy, haemodynamic monitoring, frequent bloods 
- Contraindications - Coagulopathy, localised deformity 
Equipment & Preparation
Insertion
- Identify the Vein - Using ultrasound or landmarks 
- Prepare Sterile Field - Open all required sterile equipment onto field 
- Prepare the Site - Decontaminate a large area with chlorhexidine 
- Place the Drape - Expose the decontaminated site and cover everything else 
- Prepare Equipment - Draw up local, place everything in the order it will be used 
- Prepare the PICC Line - Place bungs on all lumens except central lumen, flush each lumen 
- Reidentify the Vein - Using ultrasound or landmarks 
- Inject Local Anaesthetic - Create a small wheal over the insertion site 
- Insert the Needle - Bevel up, 45 degrees from skin until flashback is seen 
- Confirm Venous Placement - Non-pulsatile dark blood, ultrasound, manometry, blood gas 
- Advance the Guide Wire - Through the needle, soft & flexible end first 
- Remove the Needle - While holding onto guidewire, apply pressure to site using gauze 
- Make an Incision - Using the scalpel, make a small incision adjacent to the guidewire 
- Use the Dilator - While holding the guidewire, insert dilator just into the vein and then remove it, placing pressure with gauze 
- Introduce the Catheter - Gently insert to appropriate length, while holding onto guidewire 
- Remove the Guidewire 
- Suture the Catheter - Fix in place at one or two points 
- Dress the Site - Using sterile, transparent occlusive dressing 
- Document 
- Confirm the CVC Position - Internal jugular and subclavian catheters - Using chest x-ray 
Complications
- Malposition - Right atrium, contralateral subclavian 
- Arterial Puncture - Especially with jugular and femoral CVCs 
- Pneumothorax / Haemothorax - Most commonly with subclavian catheters 
- Air Embolism 
- Blockage - Not transducing, clot in the line, kinking, pain 
- Thrombosis - Around the CVC - Pain, swelling, erythema, thrombus on USS 
- Haemorrhage / Haematoma - Bruising, active bleeding from the site 
- Infection - Erythema, pain, swelling, pus