Given their reliability and low rate of complications, there has been a dramatic increase in peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) usage recently as a means of administering medications, blood products, and nutritional fluids. A rare case of cardio respiratory compromise in a patient managed for diverticular and liver abscesses requiring surgery and subsequent parenteral nutrition is reported.
This acute deterioration was caused by extravasation of hyperalimentation fluid from venous perforation by a PICC that had migrated into the mediastinum. This case highlights the need to carefully assess for the correct placement of a PICC before its use.
