Line Percutaneous Intravenous Central Catheter (PICC)
A peripherally inserted central catheter, or PICC, is a thin, flexible tube inserted into the upper arm and guided into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava.
It is used to give:
- Intravenous fluids
- Blood transfusions
- Chemotherapy
- And other drugs
A doctor might recommend a PICC line if the treatment plan requires frequent needle sticks for medicine or blood draws or if it’s for long-term use (up to 3 months and sometimes a little longer).
A PICC line is also thicker, therefore, more durable than a regular IV. It’s also much longer and goes farther into the vein.