What is a PICC line?
A PICC line (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) is a central venous catheter inserted through an arm vein (basilic, cephalic or brachial vein) under ultrasound guidance. Its tip reaches a large central vein, at the junction of the superior vena cava and the right atrium, close to the heart. It allows prolonged intravenous treatments to be given safely, without needing to puncture a peripheral vein at each session.
Why have a PICC line fitted? For which treatments?
- Chemotherapy (several cycles over several weeks)
- Prolonged antibiotic therapy (6 weeks or more)
- Prolonged parenteral nutrition
- Pain treatments and other repeated intravenous treatments, especially with difficult venous access
Who is this method for?
- Patients needing prolonged or repeated intravenous treatment
- Patients with difficult peripheral venous access
- Treatments that can be given in hospital or at home
Advantages over a peripheral venous line
- Avoids repeated punctures and the complications of venospasm/phlebitis
- Irritant drugs (chemotherapy) are diluted in a large vessel: no venous burning
- Blood samples can be taken through the catheter
- Simple weekly care (dressing + flush) that a nurse can do at home
- Can stay in place for up to 6 months
- A less invasive alternative to other central venous catheters, with a lower infection risk
How is it placed?
Performed as a day case or during a hospital stay, under local anaesthesia at the puncture site in the arm
The catheter is placed through an arm vein under ultrasound guidance
Placement usually takes 20 to 30 minutes
Correct central positioning is checked by fluoroscopy or chest X-ray immediately after placement
The catheter is secured and protected with a sterile adhesive dressing — usable immediately, return home the same day
What is the recovery like? Care
- Moderate arm discomfort is possible in the first few days
- The catheter can be used immediately or within a few hours
- Rare complications: infection, venous thrombosis, catheter displacement
- A weekly saline flush and dressing change are needed, provided by a nurse at home or at a care centre
- Any redness, pain or fever must be reported promptly
Explainer video
See how a PICC line is placed in our department:
📄 Patient information sheet
⚡ PICC line — At a glance
A PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) is a fine tube placed in an arm vein and advanced to a large central vein, for treatments lasting weeks to months.
| Criterion | Data |
|---|---|
| Duration of use | Weeks to a few months |
| Placement | Local anaesthesia, ultrasound and imaging guidance, day case |
| Home use | Compatible with treatment continuing at home with district nursing support |
| Removal | Simple, without anaesthesia |
| Cost | Covered by French national health insurance at Cochin AP-HP — no out-of-pocket fees |
Data validated by the team of Prof. Anthony Dohan, Department of Interventional Radiology, Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité.
✅ Cost: covered by French National Health Insurance. No additional fees in our centre.
❓ Frequently asked questions
✓ Why this page is trustworthy
Written by the Interventional Radiology team at Cochin Hospital AP-HP, Université Paris Cité. Medically reviewed by an interventional radiologist of the department. Last updated: August 2026.