Central venous versus short midline catheter in difficult intravenous access patients: a randomised clinical pilot trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients with difficult intravenous access (DIVA) are at increased risk of delays, discomfort and complications due to multiple failed intravenous access attempts. However, evidence comparing commonly used alternatives, short midline catheters (SMLs) and central venous catheters (CVCs) in this population is limited.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility of a larger randomised controlled trial comparing SMLs with CVCs in DIVA patients using predefined feasibility outcomes.

Design

This trial was a pragmatic, open-label, single-centre, randomised controlled pilot trial with 1:1 randomisation. Participants were recruited from January to August 2025 with follow-up until September 2025.

Setting

Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, a teaching county hospital i

SUBMITTER: Mellander C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12911735 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature