Abstract
Peripherally inserted central catheters are used increasingly in the recovery of trauma and other patients. There is little data on the use and complications of these catheters in trauma patients. This retrospective review examines the rate of catheter-related thrombosis and infection in the trauma patient population at a level II trauma center over a 1-year period. Of the 27 patients who had peripherally inserted central catheters during this period, 3 (11%) developed upper extremity deep venous thrombosis and none (0%) developed catheter-associated infection. Further examination is warranted to evaluate the safety of these catheters relative to other means of intravenous access.