Complications of PICC in patients with heart failure in different age groups

Objective To compare the differences in peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) complications in patients with heart failure in different age groups and to provide strategies for reducing complications of PICC. Methods A total of 136 patients with heart failure who underwent PICC in Zhengzhou Central Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from January 2017 to December 2018 were enrolled in the study. They were divided into elderly group (≥60 years old, n=79) and non-elderly group (<60 years old, n=57). The differences in the incidence of oozing, catheterization, phlebitis, catheter blockage, infection, and venous thrombosis after PICC were compared. Results The total incidence of complication in the elderly group(12.09%, 15/79) was higher than that in the non-elderly group (6.50%, 5/57), P<0.05. Conclusions The incidence of complications of PICC in elderly patient with heart failure is higher, which suggests that medical staff should strengthen the propaganda of various complications of PICC in elderly patients, adopt different nursing strategies, and effectively reduce the related complications after PICC. Key words: Peripherally inserted central catheter; Heart failure; Complication