Dislodgement of a Power-Injectable Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter After Power Injection: A Case Report

Abstract

A 63-year-old Malay woman had a 6-French dual-lumen power-injectable peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) inserted and subsequently underwent a contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan with intravenous contrast medium administered via the PICC. After the scan, the tip of the PICC was noted to have displaced from its original position and lodged in 1 of the small branches of the right subclavian vein. This phenomenon was then demonstrated in real time under fluoroscopy during the process of repositioning the PICC tip. Although power-injectable PICCs are designed for use with power injectors, tip displacement can and does happen. A computed tomography scout view of the chest may be necessary after each use of power injectors to confirm that the PICC tip remains in a satisfactory position.