Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line placement is ideal for various purposes, including blood transfusion, drawing blood for tests, and administering intravenous (IV) medications. During your San Antonio PICC Line placement, your doctor provider inserts a thin and flexible IV tube in the primary veins on your upper arm (near the heart) using an ultrasound machine. Unlike the several needles, you might need for medications or blood draws, the line is more comfortable. The best part of the treatment is that it spares your small blood vessels from irritation likely to result from IV medications.
Why would you need PICC line placement?
Your healthcare provider might suggest a PICC line when he wants to administer medications (or other treatments) straight to the major veins closer to your heart. However, the process might only be an option if the recommended treatment requires several blood draws or medications. Thus, your doctor will only suggest the line placement if your treatment might last several weeks. Typical recommendations for a PICC line include:
- Cancer treatment. The medical professional will use a PICC line to deliver most cancer medications that may need infusions like chemotherapy and other targeted medications.
- Infection treatment. Your doctor may also suggest the approach when dealing with severe infections to directly administer antibiotics and antifungal drugs to your system.
- Liquid nutrition. Line placement can only be an option if your system cannot process food nutrients due to digestive system-related complications. The medical expert will suggest the therapy to help you receive the essential nutrients straight into your bloodstream.
- Other medications. Specific medications are likely to irritate your small veins in instances of venous infusions. As such, you might end up damaging your blood vessels. However, the major veins close to your heart carry significant blood levels, diluting the drugs faster minimizing the risk of injuring your small veins.
Once you have the PICC line in position, your doctor might also use it for other purposes, including blood transfusions and draws.
What should you know before the treatment?
There are several things that you may need to consult with your doctor before you go for the line placement. For instance:
- The primary physician might advise you to quit taking specific medications before the process. Coagulants (blood thinners) are drugs the medical professional might suggest stopping. However, before you stop taking the drugs, talk to your doctor to know what to do.
- You might need to remove devices like an insulin pump or continuous glucose monitor (CGM) beneath your skin before the day of the procedure. Talk to your doctor to schedule an appointment closer to the day of device removal. Additionally, ensure you have another device to replace your device after the scan or process. You might need to consult your diabetes-management doctor if you are worried about managing your sugar levels without the device before the treatment.
· Contact your primary physician if you get sick before the procedure
A PICC line can be challenging to handle, especially if you need to care for yourself at home. Call your doctor instantly for help when you accidentally pull the line out of position or develop unusual symptoms or complications.
