Influence of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters With Proximal Valves on Red Blood Cell Hemolysis During Transfusion.

The aim of this study was to verify the occurrence of hemolysis after infusion of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) in 12 peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) with a proximal valve, according to size and infusion rate. This was an experimental in vitro study performed under laboratory-controlled conditions, and the sample was composed of 12 PICCs with proximal valves (3F and 4F catheter). Twelve type A+ aliquots from 10 PRBCs were analyzed preinfusion and postinfusion according to PICC size and infusion rate.