PICC Insertion could be an optimal choice of central venous access in prone position mechanically ventilated COVID-19 ARDS patient

During the management of critically ill covid-19 patients obtaining an appropriate centrally inserted central catheter (CICC) can be a prime necessity. Traditionally, a CICC is inserted in a supine position. However, a CICC may not be possible in some COVID-19 patients with severe hypoxia or sudden clinical deterioration who need urgent intubation and immediate proning. Therefore, CICC in pronated COVID-19 ARDS patients is challenging. Recent studies limited to case reports have shown that peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are safer in pronated ARDS patients. PICC lines minimize mechanical complications and lower catheter-related bloodstream infections when compared to standard CICC. However, there is a scarcity of evidence showing the efficacy of PICC in pronated COVID-19 ARDS patients, possibly due to the complex precautionary safety measures, insertion techniques, and expertise team deficit. Herein, we present a 57-year-old male as a case of COVID-19 ARDS, mechanically ventilated in a prone position with existing subcutaneous emphysema. Our case illustrates PICC insertion challenges in the prone position, ultrasound guidance in PICC insertion to comprehend the vein’s diameter for accurate vein needling in proportion to the external catheter diameter, and intracavitary electrocardiographic (ECG) navigation method to confirm catheter tip location. So that chest X-ray and radiology risk of contamination is avoided. Long-term research urged to validate the efficacy of PICC in this group of patients.