In the case of indication to a central venous access in an intra-hospital setting, the choice is between PICC, CICC and FICC (new terminology suggested by the WoCoVA Foundation). They are always central venous catheters (CVCs), but with a different approach in terms of the cannulated vein.
PICC = Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters, or CVC inserted in the deep veins of the arm (axillary,brachial, basilica)
CICC = Centrally Inserted Central Catheters, or CVC inserted in the supra-clavicular veins (internaljugular, external jugular, subclavian, brachio-cephalic) or infra-clavicular veins (axillary, cephalic)
FICC = Femorally Inserted Central Catheters, or CVC inserted in veins in the inguinal region (common femoral, superficial femoral, saphenous)
Both the PICCs and the CICCs and the FICCs allow the infusion of solutions of any kind, even incompatible with the peripheral route; all three devices allow repeated and frequent withdrawals; hemodynamic monitoring is possible only for those CVCs (PICC, CICC or FICC) whose tip has been placed in the right atrium or in the superior vena cava.
