Risks

PICC line complications can include:

• Bleeding
• Nerve injury
• Irregular heartbeat
• Damage to veins in your arm
• Blood clots
• Infection
• A blocked or broken PICC line

Some complications can be treated so that your PICC line can remain in place. Other complications might require removing the PICC line. Depending on your situation, your doctor might recommend placing another PICC line or using a different type of central venous catheter.

Contact your doctor right away if you notice any signs or symptoms of PICC line complications, such as if:

• The area around your PICC line is increasingly red, swollen, bruised or warm to the touch
• You develop a fever or shortness of breath
• The length of the catheter that sticks out of your arm gets longer
• You have difficulty flushing your PICC line because it seems to be blocked
• You notice changes in your heartbeat