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"The accuracy of the ECG characteristic map in guiding the location of the PICC tip is higher than that of the non-characteristic P wave, and it has more clinical significance in locating the best position of the PICC tip" Dong et al (2021).
P wave variation and PICC tip location

Abstract:

Purpose: To explore the application of ECG-guided localization technology in PICC catheterization and the clinical significance of different maps of intracavitary ECG in PICC tip localization.

Methods: In the process of catheter placement under the guidance of ultrasound, the technique of intracavitary ECG location was used. The length of the catheter was measured on the body’s surface. The amplitude of the P-wave and the QRS-wave groups of electrocardiograms before and during catheter placement was recorded. Nine hundred sixty-one patients who underwent X-ray chest film examination after catheterization were imaged on the chest film at the tip of the catheter.

Results: Eight hundred four cases had a characteristic P wave, 83.66%, of which, 331 cases (50% < P/R ≤80%) had 99.09%; 425 cases (80% < P/R ≤100%) had 99.29%; 48 cases (P/R >100%) had 100%. One hundred eighteen cases of non-specific P wave accounted for 12.28% and 79.66% of chest radiographs, of which 72 cases of P/R <50% were 100%; 46 cases of unchanged P wave were 47.83%; 34 cases of special cases accounted for 3.54% and 55.88% of chest radiographs; five cases of interference wave accounted for 0.25%, and the chest radiographs were self-control. The in-place rate of the body contrast catheter was 80%.

Conclusions: The accuracy of the ECG characteristic map in guiding the location of the PICC tip is higher than that of the non-characteristic P wave, and it has more clinical significance in locating the best position of the PICC tip.

Reference:

Dong HM, Zhu YX, Yin XX, Zhang X. Clinical significance of different atlas of intracavitary electrocardiogram for PICC localization in 961 cases. Ann Noninvasive Electrocardiol. 2021 Nov 26:e12904. doi: 10.1111/anec.12904. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34825734.