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There’s no added risk of thrombosis when using larger PICCs.
False
Thrombosis rates for PICCs overall are low (3.9 percent).(1) But according to a study in the Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, the risk of thrombosis rises as the French size of a catheter increases:
- 1 percent for 4 Fr.
- 6.6 percent for 5 Fr.
- 9.8 percent for 6 Fr.
To minimize this risk, the authors recommend using the smallest acceptable catheter.
It's worth noting that with a tapered catheter, there can sometimes be a significant difference between the French size at the tip and at the proximal end, which essentially puts the widest portion of the catheter into the narrowest portion of the vein.
For the sake of their patients, clinicians have a right to know the true French size of the PICC they're using.
REFERENCES:
(1) Grove, J.R., Pevec, W.C. "Venous Thrombosis Related to Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters." Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 2000, Vol. 11, pp. 837-840.
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