Understanding the Differences: What is the difference between a PICC line and a central line?

October 2, 2025 •

3 min read

Approximately 1 in 4 patients in the intensive care unit requires a central venous catheter for treatment, which includes a PICC line. While both provide a gateway to the central bloodstream, understanding what is the difference between a PICC line and a central line is crucial for patients and caregivers needing long-term intravenous access. The primary distinction lies in the point of entry into the body, which affects the insertion procedure, associated risks, and typical duration of use.

Quick Summary

A PICC line is a specific type of central line inserted through a vein in the arm, while other central lines are placed directly into a large central vein in the neck, chest, or groin. PICC lines are generally less invasive to place and are used for intermediate-to-long-term therapy, whereas other central lines may serve short or very long-term purposes.

Key Points

Insertion Point: A PICC line is inserted into a peripheral arm vein, whereas other central lines are inserted directly into a central vein in the neck, chest, or groin.
Procedural Invasiveness: PICC line placement is a less invasive procedure, often performed at the bedside, while other central lines may require more surgical intervention.
Duration of Use: PICC lines are suited for intermediate-to-long-term use (weeks to months), while CVCs can be for short-term, long-term, or very long-term periods.
Common Applications: PICC lines are frequently used for long-term antibiotics or chemotherapy. Other central lines may be preferred for rapid infusions, frequent blood draws, or dialysis.
Risk Profile: PICC lines carry lower initial insertion risks like collapsed lung but may have a higher risk of arm thrombosis. Other central lines have higher insertion risks but can offer lower long-term infection rates depending on the type.
Removal Process: PICC lines are easily removed at the bedside, while the removal of some central lines, like implanted ports, requires a more involved procedure.

What is a PICC line?

A Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter, or PICC line, is a long, thin, flexible tube inserted into a peripheral vein, typically in the upper arm. The catheter is then guided up through the arm's veins until its tip rests in a large central vein, the superior vena cava, near the heart. This peripheral insertion with a central endpoint makes the PICC line a type of central line, distinct for its starting point.

Common uses for PICC lines

PICC lines are used for treatments lasting several weeks to several months, including extended antibiotic therapy, chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition, and for patients with difficult venous access.

PICC line insertion and care

PICC line insertion is less invasive than other central lines and is often performed at the bedside by a trained nurse or radiologist using ultrasound guidance and local anesthetic. X-ray confirms placement. Removal is done by a trained professional simply by pulling the catheter out. Site care involves keeping the dressing clean and dry, and regular flushing prevents blockages.

What is a central line?

A central line, or Central Venous Catheter (CVC), is placed directly into a large central vein in the neck (jugular), chest (subclavian), or groin (femoral). While a PICC is a CVC, the term often refers to central-insertion catheters.

Types of Central Lines (CVCs)

CVCs include non-tunneled CVCs for short-term urgent use (under two weeks), tunneled CVCs for longer-term use with a reduced infection risk, and implanted ports for very long-term access, sometimes years.

Common uses for central lines (CVCs)

CVCs are used for rapid fluid administration, irritating medications, frequent blood draws, and dialysis.

PICC line vs. central line: A comparison

The main differences between a PICC line and other CVCs are the insertion site and invasiveness. The choice depends on the patient's needs and treatment duration.


Feature	PICC Line	Other Central Lines (CVCs, Ports)
Insertion Site	Peripheral vein in the upper arm	Large central vein in the neck, chest, or groin
Insertion Procedure	Less invasive; often done at the bedside by a trained nurse or radiologist with local anesthesia	More invasive; often done in an operating room by a physician with conscious sedation or general anesthesia
Duration of Use	Weeks to several months	Can be short-term (non-tunneled) or very long-term (tunneled, implanted ports)
Risks of Placement	Lower risk of severe insertion complications like a collapsed lung (pneumothorax)	Higher risk of serious insertion-related complications, depending on the site
Risks of Use	Can have a higher risk of thrombosis (blood clots) in the arm	Infection rates can vary by type, but ports have lower infection risk long-term
Cosmetics	Visible tubing and dressing on the arm	Varies; ports are implanted under the skin and are less visible
Physical Activity	Restricts some arm movement and strenuous activity	Ports allow more normal daily activities, including swimming

Making the right choice

The choice between a PICC line and another central line is a clinical decision based on treatment duration, type of medication, patient lifestyle, and overall health.

Conclusion

While a PICC line is a type of central line, the key difference between a PICC line and a central line is the insertion point. PICC lines are less invasive, inserted in the arm for intermediate-to-long-term use. Other central lines are placed directly into central veins for a broader range of durations and purposes. The decision is made by a healthcare team considering treatment needs, safety, and lifestyle.

For more detailed information on vascular access devices, consult authoritative resources such as the Johns Hopkins Medicine Health Library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but with precautions. A PICC line must be covered with a waterproof material to keep the dressing dry when showering or bathing. With an implanted port (a type of central line), you can generally shower normally once the incision has healed, as it is fully under the skin.

The initial placement of a PICC line is generally less painful and less invasive than inserting other central lines because it is done with a local anesthetic and does not carry the same risk of serious complications, like a collapsed lung, during insertion. Any pain after insertion is usually manageable with over-the-counter medication.

A PICC line typically stays in for weeks to several months. Other types of central lines vary: non-tunneled CVCs are for short-term use (less than two weeks), while tunneled CVCs and implanted ports are designed for long-term use, sometimes for years.

The best line depends on the treatment plan. For intermediate-term chemotherapy, a PICC line is often used. For very long-term or frequent chemotherapy, an implanted port may be preferred due to its lower infection risk and convenience, as it is completely under the skin.

Yes, both PICC lines and central lines can be used for blood draws, which helps reduce the need for repeated needle sticks. However, some smaller PICC lines may be less suitable for frequent, high-volume blood draws compared to larger-bore central lines.

The risks include infection, blood clots (thrombosis), and bleeding. Specifically, other central lines carry a higher risk of pneumothorax during insertion, while PICC lines can have a higher risk of thrombosis in the arm.

PICC lines, a type of central line, can be inserted by specially trained nurses, often at the bedside. However, other central lines (e.g., tunneled CVCs, implanted ports) are more invasive and are typically placed by a physician or surgeon.