Why Opt for a PICC Line Treatment Over Intravenous Infusion

PICC Line Placement in El Paso is steadily gaining popularity, with patients preferring the treatment over the typical intravenous (IV) infusion. A PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) line is longer than the standard IV line, and it goes through a more extensive vein, taking it closer to your heart. The tube’s other end outside your body enables the medical provider to administer nutrition, fluids, blood, and medication. The PICC line has various benefits, including durability and length, that makes it an ideal option over the IV line.   

What are the uses of a PICC line treatment?

Your healthcare provider can recommend a PICC line insertion to administer medication and conduct other treatments to the more extensive veins closer to your heart. He may also suggest the line approach if your treatment plan needs several needle sticks to administer medication or draw blood. Though the treatment is usually a temporary option, your doctor may suggest it as an ideal option if your recommended treatment plan might last several weeks. Other instances likely to prompt a PICC line treatment include:

• Liquid nutrition. Your doctor is likely to insert a PICC line in your arm to help you receive nutrition, especially if your system cannot process nutrients present in the food you eat, thanks to issues with your digestive system.
• Infection treatment. Some severe infections might prompt your doctor to suggest the treatment to administer antibiotics and other medications straight to the central veins.
• Cancer treatment. Venous medications like chemotherapy and other targeted drugs that your healthcare is likely to administer, especially during cancer treatments, can significantly benefit from a PICC line process.
• Administration of other medication. You are at risk of injuring your smaller veins if your medications irritate the tiny blood vessels. However, the more extensive blood vessels closer to your heart dilute the drugs faster, minimizing your risk of hurting them.

Once set, the medical professional may also use the PICC line for blood transfusions to draw blood and receive contrast dye (especially in imaging tests).    

What differentiates a PICC line from the traditional IV line?

In comparison, a PICC line is thick, more durable, and longer than a standard intravenous line. A PICC line is more likely to go further into your vein, thanks to its length. Other reasons that might prompt your healthcare provider to use a PICC line instead of the IV line include:

• The treatment minimizes the number of injections and needle sticks you are likely to have for blood draws
• The line might take longer in your arm than an IV line
• The patients are likely to get significant amounts of medications that do not necessarily have to irritate your smaller veins

A PICC line on your arm is harmless. However, potential problems are likely to arise when you have an infection or a foreign body clogs the line, preventing the medication from reaching your heart. Instances that might push you to seek professional intervention with PICC include:

• Possible signs of infection like fever
• Swelling on areas surrounding the line
• The line clogs or detaches and comes out

Call your doctor for more inquiries about the PICC line treatment and how you can benefit from the process.