Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered the most common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complication in cancer and the second leading cause of death after cancer progression itself. In recent years, the steadily increasing rate of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) seems mainly re...

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Main Authors: Agnese Maria Fioretti, Pietro Scicchitano, Daniele La Forgia, Raffaele De Luca, Elena Campello, Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti, Marcello Di Nisio, Stefano Oliva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/4/786
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author Agnese Maria Fioretti
Pietro Scicchitano
Daniele La Forgia
Raffaele De Luca
Elena Campello
Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
Marcello Di Nisio
Stefano Oliva
author_facet Agnese Maria Fioretti
Pietro Scicchitano
Daniele La Forgia
Raffaele De Luca
Elena Campello
Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
Marcello Di Nisio
Stefano Oliva
author_sort Agnese Maria Fioretti
collection DOAJ
description Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered the most common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complication in cancer and the second leading cause of death after cancer progression itself. In recent years, the steadily increasing rate of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) seems mainly related to amelioration in imaging techniques and the placements of central venous catheters (CVCs). The pivotal role of CVCs in the switch from hospital to home care is offset by its high thrombotic burden. The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) offers advantages (convenience, fast access, and cost-effectiveness) in comparison to centrally inserted devices (PORT), but increased thrombotic risk is reported. The aim of this narrative review was to offer a comprehensive overview of the existing literature about PICC-related thrombosis (PICC-VTE) by analyzing the current knowledge and related gaps. We further discussed advancements in insertion techniques, underscored the role of the novel PICC-PORT lines, and provided a “head-to-head” comparison among major guidelines on primary thromboprophylaxis.
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spelling doaj-art-b80add3828424cea9ee45612e84ee1922025-08-20T02:24:44ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-03-0113478610.3390/biomedicines13040786Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative ReviewAgnese Maria Fioretti0Pietro Scicchitano1Daniele La Forgia2Raffaele De Luca3Elena Campello4Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti5Marcello Di Nisio6Stefano Oliva7Cardio-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori, “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, ItalyCardiology-Intensive Care Unit, Ospedale della Murgia “Fabio Perinei”, Altamura, 70022 Bari, ItalyBreast Radiology Department, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Surgical Oncology, IRCCS Istituto Tumori “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, ItalyInternal Medicine, Hemorrhagic and Thrombotic Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine (DIMED), Padova University Hospital, 35121 Padova, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medical Sciences (DISMET), “Federico II” University of Naples, 80131 Napoli, ItalyDepartment of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, “G. d’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, ItalyCardio-Oncology Unit, IRCCS Istituto Tumori, “Giovanni Paolo II”, 70124 Bari, ItalyVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is considered the most common and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complication in cancer and the second leading cause of death after cancer progression itself. In recent years, the steadily increasing rate of cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) seems mainly related to amelioration in imaging techniques and the placements of central venous catheters (CVCs). The pivotal role of CVCs in the switch from hospital to home care is offset by its high thrombotic burden. The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) offers advantages (convenience, fast access, and cost-effectiveness) in comparison to centrally inserted devices (PORT), but increased thrombotic risk is reported. The aim of this narrative review was to offer a comprehensive overview of the existing literature about PICC-related thrombosis (PICC-VTE) by analyzing the current knowledge and related gaps. We further discussed advancements in insertion techniques, underscored the role of the novel PICC-PORT lines, and provided a “head-to-head” comparison among major guidelines on primary thromboprophylaxis.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/4/786cancer-associated thrombosiscentral vein catheterportanticoagulationprophylaxis
spellingShingle Agnese Maria Fioretti
Pietro Scicchitano
Daniele La Forgia
Raffaele De Luca
Elena Campello
Carlo Gabriele Tocchetti
Marcello Di Nisio
Stefano Oliva
Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review
Biomedicines
cancer-associated thrombosis
central vein catheter
port
anticoagulation
prophylaxis
title Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review
title_full Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review
title_fullStr Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review
title_full_unstemmed Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review
title_short Prevention of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC)-Associated Vein Thrombosis in Cancer: A Narrative Review
title_sort prevention of peripherally inserted central catheter picc associated vein thrombosis in cancer a narrative review
topic cancer-associated thrombosis
central vein catheter
port
anticoagulation
prophylaxis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/4/786
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