Evaluation of the correct position of peripherally inserted central catheters: anatomical landmark vs. electrocardiographic technique.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to verify as early as possible the correct positioning of the peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) tip in order to reduce complications due to possible malpositioning. The ECG-guided technique proved to be reliable, easy to carry out, straightforward, low-cost and allows us to recognize an incorrect or a suboptimal positioning throughout the procedure. The purpose of this study is to compare two methods used during the PICC insertion so as to prevent catheter malpositioning; the first study estimates the catheter length by the landmark method (based on cutaneous anatomical landmarks, CALs) with the addition of the postprocedural verification of tip location by chest X-Ray (CxR), whereas the second method of intraprocedural tip location is based on the observation of the morphological variations of the P wave (ECG-guided technique) with the addition of the postprocedural verification by CxR.