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CompletedNCT03652727Updated Jan 14, 2020

FX vs. ECG Guidance for PICC Insertion

An interventional study of ECG-EM Guidance and FX Guidance in Long Term Antibiotics, Chemotherapy and Total Parenteral Nutrition, sponsored by Salah D. Qanadli. Completed at 1 site in Switzerland. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-01-14.

Sponsored by Salah D. Qanadli · Not applicable, Interventional, and Other

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
120
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

The aim of this study is to compare two techniques of placing a peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC). The first technique, uses ECG based electromagnetic guidance (ECG-EM). The second (reference technique), is guided by X-ray (fluoroscopy).

Read the detailed description

The method of placement under fluoroscopic control (FX) is considered as the reference technique. This is often criticized for disadvantages such as costs, logistical problems and relative ionizing radiation. Despite this, it is still advised by 75% of PICC providers.

Appeared about ten years ago, a per procedural guiding technique with intracavitary ECG tracking (ECG-EM) presents a better technical success (precision and specificity) than the blind technique, but there is still a lack in comparing this technique to the FX technique.

This prospective randomized controlled study is designed to compare the PICC insertion using ECG-EM guidance to fluoroscopic (FX) guidance in order to define whether a replacement of the FX technique by ECG-EM is appropriate in terms of the final catheter tip position of the PICC as well as length of the outgoing catheter at the entry point.

All included patients gave their written consent and the study is approved by EC.

Participation is open to all adults referred to the radiology department of the CHUV for insertion of a PICC (monocentric).

Recruited patients will be randomly assigned to one of the two arms (FX or ECG-EM).

For both procedures patient position and preparation (MSB, maximal sterile barrier) are standardized and are similar.

FX method consists on a puncture of an arm vein, under the ultrasound control and local anesthesia. Through the point of puncture, a long wire is then introduced and directed to the level of the target zone located in the superior vena cava under fluoroscopy control. The length of the guide inside the vessel is then measured to adjust the length of the PICC necessary for its optimal positioning.

For ECG-EM insertion technique, the vein puncture is done in similar conditions to the FX method. The length of the PICC is estimated prior to its insertion using morphological landmarks. The placement of the PICC is done using SHERLOCK 3CG™ Diamond Tip Confirmation System (TCS) (CE marked device; C. R. Bard, Inc.).

At the end of procedure, a chest x-ray is performed to assess the PICC position. Possible per-procedural complications are documented.

After intervention, the patient is transferred back to the ward or sent home in stable conditions.

02

Conditions studied

  • Long Term Antibiotics
  • Chemotherapy
  • Total Parenteral Nutrition

Keywords

  • PICC
  • PIC Line
  • ECG
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Salah D. Qanadli is the lead sponsor of 2 studies on the registry; none are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • Informed Consent as documented by signature (Informed Consent Form)
  • Adult > 18 years
  • Referred to the interventional radiology department for PICC insertion

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant women
  • Known or suspected non-compliance
  • Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant,
  • Previous enrolment into the current study,
  • Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons,
  • Impairment of the heart rhythm changing the presentation of the P wave (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, severe tachycardia, pacemaker driven rhythm)
  • Enrolled in conflicting research study
  • Weight> 150 kg, technical limit for the fluoroscopy table
  • Impossibility of obtaining informed consent
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
None (open label)
Enrollment
120 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Experimental
    ECG-EM Guidance

    PICC insertion using electrocardiographic and electromagnetic guidance \[Site\~Rite® 8 Ultrasound System with integrated SHERLOCK 3CG™ Diamond Tip Confirmation System (TCS)\]

    Device: ECG-EM Guidance

  • Active comparator
    FX Guidance

    PICC insertion using fluoroscopic guidance

    Device: FX Guidance

Interventions

  • DeviceECG-EM Guidance

    ECG-EM method consists on a puncture of an arm vein, under the ultrasound control and local anesthesia. The length of the PICC is estimated prior to its insertion using morphological landmarks. The placement of the PICC is done using SHERLOCK 3CG™ Diamond Tip Confirmation System (TCS) \[CE marked device, C. R. Bard, Inc.\]. At the end of procedure, a chest x-ray is performed to assess the PICC position

  • DeviceFX Guidance

    FX method consists on a puncture of an arm vein, under the ultrasound control and local anesthesia. Through the point of puncture, a long wire is then introduced and directed to the level of the target zone located in the superior vena cava under fluoroscopy control. The length of the guide inside the vessel is then measured to adjust the length of the PICC necessary for its optimal positioning. At the end of procedure, a chest x-ray is performed to assess the PICC position

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Tip to CAJ (Cavo-atrial junction)

    At the end of intervention tip position is measured on chest fluoroscopic X-ray. Absolute distance from tip to CAJ is measured on the image. This will reflect proportions of optimal tip positions depending on guidance technology. Rationale is that optimal position is mandatory for adequate functioning of PICC as malpositions may result on cardiac rhythm disorders, thrombosis or premature PICC occlusion.

    Time frame: Up to 1 hour, after the procedure

Secondary outcomes

  1. Length of the outgoing catheter

    Length of the outgoing catheter at the entry point near the bend of the elbow. The rationale behind is that correct positioning guarantees optimal haemostasis and might prevent secondary displacement

    Time frame: Up to 1 hour, after the procedure

  2. Inter-observer and intra-observer variance

    The CAJ to catheter tip distance is based on subjective assessment by one investigator of the X-ray chest. Rationale behind is that in order to evaluate the impact of potential variation due to subjective interpretation interobserver and intraobserver variance will be quantified

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 9 month

07

Study locations

1 site
  • CHUV
    Lausanne, Vaud 1011, Switzerland
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Gullo G, Colin A, Frossard P, Jouannic AM, Knebel JF, Qanadli SD. Appropriateness of Replacing Fluoroscopic Guidance With ECG-Electromagnetic Guidance for PICC Insertion: A Randomized Controlled Trial. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2021 Apr;216(4):981-988. doi: 10.2214/AJR.20.23345. Epub 2021 Feb 17. PubMed 33594912 ↗

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

09

Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Jan 14, 2020, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT03652727
Lead sponsor
Salah D. Qanadli
Collaborators
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois
Responsible party
Salah D. Qanadli (Prof. MD PhD, University of Lausanne) — Sponsor-investigator
First posted
Aug 29, 2018
Start date
Sep 4, 2018
Primary completion
Nov 8, 2018
Completion
Feb 20, 2019
Last update
Jan 14, 2020

Study contacts

Salah Dine Qanadli, Prof. MD PhD
study director · UNIL-CHUV

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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This study is completed, as verified in Jan 2020. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.

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