Facts About PICC Lines

6. PICC Line vs a Central Venous Access Line

Sometimes, an emergency or surgical procedure requires a central line instead of a PICC line. A central venous access line is used as a result of excessive blood loss. Instead of accessing the blood vessel through a site on the arm, the doctor makes an incision near the collarbone and threads the central venous access line through the vessel into the larger vein above the heart. However, a central line can restrict daily activities and the supplies required to maintain it cost more. In many cases, a PICC line is considered safer.

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