Randomized-Controlled Non-Inferiority Study to Compare the Effectiveness of the Seldinger Over-the-Wire Technique and the Modified Seldinger Technique

The referral of patients with indication to PICC-line implantation at the institute of diagnostic and interventional radiology occurs through different departments of the University Hospital Jena. The patients are registered for radiological treatment and checked again by a radiologist if a PICC-line implantation is indicated. If this is the case, the radiologist conducts an informed consent discussion with the patient about possible complications and risks during intervention and informs him also about a possible study participation. After signature of the written informed consent, the patient is included. He can, at any time, withdraw his consent. On the intervention day, the patient is randomly assigned to one of the two study arms through envelope (145 cm vs 70 cm). The intervention time is documented. After intervention, the patient is transferred back to the ward or sent home. The examination of the puncture site before discharge is performed by a ward physician or by the family doctor.

Within 2 weeks after PICC-line implantation, the treating physician is contacted and questioned about possible complications (catheter occlusion, haematoma, infection of the puncture site, arm vein thrombosis, pain, etc.), that are then thoroughly documented.