How Does Your PICCOMPARE? A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Various PICC Materials in Pediatrics
BACKGROUND: Despite the popularity of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), recent literature highlights their potential injurious complications. Innovative PICC materials have been developed to prevent thrombosis and infection formation (Endexo®) and antireflux valves to prevent occlusion (pressure-activated safety valve®). No large randomized controlled trial has assessed these technologies. Our primary aim was to evaluate the feasibility of a large randomized controlled efficacy trial of PICC materials and design to reduce PICC complication in pediatrics.
METHODS: A randomized controlled feasibility trial was undertaken at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital in South Brisbane, Australia, between March 2016 and November 2016. Consecutive recruitment of 150 pediatric participants were randomly assigned to receive either (1) polyurethane PICC with a clamp or (2) BioFlo® PICC (AngioDynamics Inc, Queensbury, NY). Primary outcomes were trial feasibility, including PICC failure (thrombosis, occlusion, infection, breakage, or dislodgement). Secondary outcomes were PICC complications during use.
RESULTS: Protocol feasibility was established, including staff and patient acceptability, timely recruitment, no missing primary outcome data, and 0% attrition. PICC failure was 22% (16 of 74, standard care) and 11% (8 of 72, BioFlo®) corresponding to 12.6 and 7.3 failures per 1000 hours (risk ratio 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.21-1.43; P = .172). PICC failures were primarily due to thrombosis (standard care 7% versus BioFlo® 3%) and complete occlusion (standard care 7% versus BioFlo® 1%). No blood stream infections occurred. Significantly fewer patients with BioFlo® had PICC complications during use (15% vs 34%; P = .009).
CONCLUSION: BioFlo® PICCs appear potentially safer for pediatrics than traditional standard care PICCs with a clamp. Further research is required to definitively identify clinical, cost-effective methods to prevent PICC failure and improve reliability.
© 2018 Society of Hospital Medicine
CONCLUSION
These results confirm that PICC failure is unacceptably high and suggest that the innovative BioFlo® PICC material and design holds promise to improve PICC outcomes by reducing complications and overall PICC failure. Trials of this technology are feasible, safe, and acceptable to healthcare staff and parents. Further trials are required, including in other patient populations, to definitively identify clinical, cost-effective methods to prevent PICC failure and improve reliability during treatment.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the children and parents of Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital for participating in this important research. A special thank you goes to the nurses within the Vascular Assessment and Management Service and to Karen Turner, Julieta Woosley, and Anna Dean for their efforts in data collecting and ensuring protocol adherence.
Disclosure
Griffith University has received unrestricted, investigator-initiated research or educational grants to support the research of T. K., A. J. U., and C. R. M. from product manufacturers 3M, Adhezion Inc, AngioDynamics, Bard Medical, Baxter, B. Braun Medical Inc, Becton Dickinson, CareFusion, Centurion Medical Products, Cook Medical, Entrotech, FloMedical, ICU Medical Inc, Medical Australia Limited, Medtronic, Smiths Medical, and Teleflex. Griffith University has received consultancy payments on behalf of C. R. M., A. J. U., and T. K. from manufacturers 3M, AngioDynamics, Bard Medical, B. Braun Medical Inc, Becton Dickinson, CareFusion, Mayo Healthcare Inc, ResQDevices, and Smiths Medical. AngioDynamics (the BioFlo® PICC manufacturer) provided partial funds to undertake this research via an unrestricted donation to Griffith University (but not the study authors). Queensland Health provided in-kind support to fund the remainder of the trial. The funders had no role in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data, writing of the report, or decision to submit the article for publication.
