Long peripheral catheters for short-term vascular access: A 7-day observational study on functional outcomes

Background: Long peripheral catheters are increasingly used as an alternative to short peripheral catheters for short-term intravenous therapy, particularly in patients with difficult intravenous access. However, evidence on their short-term functional performance and the impact of insertion techniques remains limited. Methods: This retrospective observational study included adult patients who received 4 Fr, 11 cm catheters inserted in the mid-upper arm at a tertiary academic hospital between January and August 2024. Clinical and procedural data were collected from routine records. Outcomes at 7 days included catheter function, ultrasound findings and complications. Associations between insertion technique, tip location and outcomes were explored using Spearman’s correlation analysis. Results: A total of 106 patients were included (mean age 77 ± 12 years), of whom 55 (51.9%) had catheter s in place at day 7. Dysfunction in withdrawal was common (54.5%), whereas infusion dysfunction was infrequent (5.4%). Ultrasound findings included non-compressible veins (23.6%) and hyperechoic material at the catheter tip (40%). The pseudo-tunnel technique was adopted in 40% of insertions. No significant associations were found between procedural variables and clinical outcomes (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Long peripheral catheters represent a useful option for short-term vascular access in patients with difficult venous access. However, their limited reliability for blood withdrawal and the frequency of functional alterations after 7 days highlight the importance of careful device selection and close clinical monitoring.