9-17-2013

PICC lines enter a large central vein and a CXR is mandatory before the line is used to make sure that there is no pneumothorax and the line is in the correct place - in the distal portion of superior vena cava. PICC line can stay in place up to one year.

A midline is a 7-inch catheter (shorter than PICC) inserted in the antecubital region with the tip located in the axillary region. Thus CXR is usually not needed. Midlines can be used up to 4 weeks and that is why this catheter was chosen for the 2-week HIVAT course of this particular patient.

HIVAT (home IV antibiotics)