To the Editor: Over recent years, invasive hypertension treatments have led to a new clinical condition, called device-resistant hypertension (DRH).1 DRH is defined as blood pressure (BP) >140/90 mm Hg, with at least 3 antihypertensives at maximal doses, including a diuretic,2 without BP decrease after the invasive treatments. These patients are not infrequent and are obliged to visit several h...

Risk factors for peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC)-associated infections in patients receiving chemotherapy and the preventive effect of a self-efficacy intervention program: randomized controlled trial

Peripherally inserted central catheters are frequently used whenever reliable central venous access is required for a prolonged period of time. The objective of this study was to review utilisation profile, complication rates and outcomes of patients who were treated in our hospital with the therapy that required placement of the peripherally inserted central catheter. We reviewed the medical r...

BACKGROUND Patients in neurological critical care units often have lengthy stays that require extended vascular access and invasive hemodynamic monitoring. The traditional approach for these patients has relied heavily on central venous and pulmonary artery catheters. The aim of this study was to evaluate peripherally inserted central catheters as an alternative to central venous catheters in n...

The Sonic Flashlight is an ultrasound (US) device that projects real-time US images into patients with use of a semireflective/transparent mirror. The present study evaluated the feasibility of use of the Sonic Flashlight for clinical peripherally inserted central catheter placements, originally with the mirror located inside a sterile cover (n = 15), then with the mirror outside (n = 11). Succ...

BACKGROUND.Mechanical and infectious complications shorten the effective duration of peripherally inserted central venous catheters. Heparin use to prevent such complications and prolong the usability of peripherally inserted central venous catheters is inconclusive. OBJECTIVE.Our goal was to evaluate the effectiveness of heparin in prolonging the usability of peripherally inserted central veno...