A Comparison of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Materials

In a randomized superiority trial across three Australian hospitals, researchers compared hydrophobic, chlorhexidine-coated, and standard polyurethane PICCs in 1098 adults and children referred for catheter placement. The primary outcome device failure due to infectious or noninfectious complications occurred at similar rates in the hydrophobic and standard-polyurethane groups (5.9% vs. 6.1%), while the chlorhexidine group showed a slightly higher failure rate (9.9%). Occlusion was the most common complication, particularly with chlorhexidine PICCs. No safety concerns arose. Overall, novel PICC materials offered no advantage over standard polyurethane in preventing device failure.

In a randomized superiority trial across three Australian hospitals, researchers compared hydrophobic, chlorhexidine-coated, and standard polyurethane PICCs in 1098 adults and children referred for catheter placement. The primary outcome device failure due to infectious or noninfectious complications occurred at similar rates in the hydrophobic and standard-polyurethane groups (5.9% vs. 6.1%), while the chlorhexidine group showed a slightly higher failure rate (9.9%). Occlusion was the most common complication, particularly with chlorhexidine PICCs. No safety concerns arose. Overall, novel PICC materials offered no advantage over standard polyurethane in preventing device failure.