Performance and Safety of PowerGlide Pro® Extended Dwell Peripheral Catheters in an Emergency Medicine Unit: A Prospective Observational Study

Background : The increasing complexity of hospital care has led to a growing demand for versatile vascular access devices. Extended dwell peripheral (EDP) catheters, such as the PowerGlide Pro®, have emerged as potential alternatives to both short-term peripheral and long-term central venous catheters. Objective: To evaluate the performance, safety, and efficacy of the PowerGlide Pro® EDP catheter in a sub-intensive care unit setting, comparing its outcomes to historical data on other vascular access devices. Methods : A prospective observational study was conducted on 300 patients requiring intravenous therapy for ≥7 days in the Emergency Medicine Unit at A.O.U. Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Italy, from December 2019 to October 2020. Primary outcomes included complication rates, reasons for removal, and duration of catheter use. Results : Of 283 successfully placed devices, 23 complications (8.1%) were observed, with only 12 (4.2%) resulting in device removal. The average duration of catheter use was 7.26 ± 5.51 days (range: 1-31 days). Ultrasound-guided insertion was successful in 94.7% of cases. Conclusion : The PowerGlide Pro® demonstrated superior performance with a low rate of complications requiring removal compared to traditional peripheral catheters and comparable performance to midline and PICC devices. These findings suggest its potential as an effective alternative for medium-term vascular access in sub-intensive care settings.