Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Thrombosis Following placement via electrocardiography vs. traditional methods: an analysis of 42,687 patients

The tip position of central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters is an important predictor of catheter-related thrombosis.1,2 Best practice dictates that central venous catheter and peripherally inserted central catheter tips should be placed in the region of the lower 1/3rd of the superior vena cava at the cavoatrial junction – a region where blood flow is greatest and risk of thrombosis, lowest.3,4 When catheters terminate in more proximal positions – such as mid to upper 1/3rd of the superior vena cava – patients are known to experience greater rates of catheter-related deep vein thrombosis.