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peripherally inserted central catheter

(peh-RIH-feh-ruh-lee in-SER-ted SEN-trul KA-theh-ter)
A device used to draw blood and give treatments, including intravenous fluids, drugs, or blood transfusions. A thin, flexible tube is inserted into a vein in the upper arm and guided (threaded) into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava. A needle is inserted into a port outside the body to draw blood or give fluids. A peripherally inserted central catheter may stay in place for weeks or months and helps avoid the need for repeated needle sticks. Also called PICC.
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC); drawing of a PICC line that goes from a vein in the upper right arm to a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava. An inset shows a PICC line in the arm with a clear plastic dressing over it. An intravenous line attached to the PICC is also shown.Enlarge this image in new window
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC). A PICC is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein in the upper arm and guided (threaded) into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava. It is used to give intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and other drugs. It is also used for taking blood samples. A PICC line may stay in place for weeks or months and helps avoid the need for repeated needle sticks.
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