Increased Risk of Thrombosis Associated with Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters Compared with Conventional Central Venous Catheters in Children with Leukemia.

Objective: To study the risk of catheter-associated thrombosis (CAT) between peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and tunneled central venous catheters in children with leukemia.

Study Design: We analyzed all PICCs and conventional tunneled catheters placed in patients aged <18 years and admitted to our institute for leukemia treatment between February 2008 and April 2014. Cases of symptomatic CAT were confirmed by ultrasound and treated with low-molecular-weight heparin.