Nursing Progress in the Management of Fibrous Sheath Complications in Patients with PICC Catheters

PICC is widely used in clinical practice due to its advantages of easy insertion, safety and cost-effectiveness, providing a reliable intravenous infusion pathway for patients undergoing chemotherapy, parenteral nutrition and home-based care. However, difficult catheter removal caused by fibrous sheath formation poses a significant challenge. This article reviews the current literature on the causes of fibrous sheath formation and nursing intervention strategies. Studies have shown that standardized PICC maintenance can reduce fibrous sheath formation. Low-dose urokinase and tPA-containing saline can improve recanalization rates to 95.3%. Salvia miltiorrhiza (Danshen) can inhibit sheath formation from the source. Patient education combined with monitoring can improve prognosis and reduce complications. These findings provide clinical nurses with practical guidelines to enhance PICC management safety and effectiveness, ultimately reducing patient harm and healthcare burdens.