A<unk>  <unk>  or PIC line) is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time, e.g. for long chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotic therapy or total parenteral nutrition. First described in 1975, it is an alternative to  subclavian lines, internal jugular lines or femoral lines which have higher rates of infection. Subclavian and internal jugular line placements may result in pneumothorax (air in the pleural space of lung).
A<unk>  is<unk>  in a peripheral vein, such as the cephalic vein, basilic vein, or brachial vein and then advanced through increasingly larger veins, toward the heart until the tip rests in the distal superior vena cava or cavo-atrial junction.<unk> s are usually<unk>  by radiologists, physician assistants, radiologist assistants, or certified registered nurses using ultrasound, chest radiographs and fluoroscopy to aid in their insertion and to confirm placement. Complications may include<unk>  occlusion, phlebitis, hemorrhage, thrombosis and infection. Urokinase may be used to lyse obstructions.<unk>  lines generally will remain in place no longer than 30 days, although duration of use varies from just a few days in patients requiring short courses of chemotherapy or biotherapy to a year for patients requiring longer treatment. Commonly, other forms of intravenous access are considered if the treatment course is protracted.  While replacement is generally considered a year post-insertion, patients have survived with the same<unk>  in situ for several years without complication.
Certain types of<unk> s have recently been approved by the FDA for use in power injection.  These<unk> s, often referred to as "POWER<unk> s", are designed to withstand the high pressures associated with radiocontrast studies.
Peripherally inserted central catheter
Central venous catheter
Umbilical arterial catheter
Arterial line
Umbilical venous catheter
Feeding tube
Radial catheterization procedure
Balloon catheter