Which Is the Preferred Catheter for Outpatient IV Antibiotics?

When used for ≤14 days, midline catheters have fewer major complications than PICCs.

Current guidelines recommend midline catheters over peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) when antibiotic infusions are anticipated to be completed within 14 days (Ann Intern Med 2015; 163:Suppl:S1). However, evidence supporting this guidance is limited in the setting of increasing outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) use.

Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2800 patients discharged with OPAT from 69 Michigan hospitals between 2017 and 2023. Most catheter devices were placed on the day of, or the day before, hospital discharge. Among 2800 total devices placed, 2000 were midline catheters, and 800 were PICCs. The primary composite outcome, major device complications (i.e., catheter-related bloodstream…

Reviewing Author

Aaron J. Calderon, MD, FACP, SFHM

Disclosures

EquityAbbott; Medtronic; Merck; Pfizer; CVS Health Corp.; Bristol Myers Squibb

Aaron J. Calderon, MD, FACP, SFHM

Disclosures

EquityAbbott; Medtronic; Merck; Pfizer; CVS Health Corp.; Bristol Myers Squibb

Which Is the Preferred Catheter for Outpatient IV Antibiotics?

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Reviewing Author