Central venous catheter

Changed by Derek Smith, 14 Oct 2017

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Central venous catheters (CVC) or lines (CVL) refer to a wide range of central venous access devices but can broadly be divided into four categories. They may be inserted by physiciansmedical, surgeons or radiologistssurgical, anaesthetic/ITU, or radiology specialists.

Classification

  • peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC)
  • non-tunnelled CVCs
    • e.g. used in ICU or ED for emergent or short-term (<7-10 days) access
    • e.g. Vascath used for haemodialysis, apheresis, stem cell collection, etc
  • tunnelled CVCs
    • e.g. Hickman catheters, Broviac line, Permcath
  • implantable ports
    • e.g. Port-a-Cath, Infus-a-Port
    • may be located in the chest or arm (brachial)
    • may be single or dual lumen

Site

Central venous catheters can be inserted into a variety of veins, most commonly including:

Placement

Policy varies by institution but tip placement for neck / thoracic / upper limb CVCs in the superior vena cava or at the cavo-atrial junction is generally acceptable. There is a limited differential of left paramediastinal catheter positions.

Complications  

  • -<p><strong>Central venous catheters</strong> (<strong>CVC</strong>) or <strong>lines</strong> (<strong>CVL</strong>) refer to a wide range of central venous access devices but can broadly be divided into four categories. They may be inserted by physicians, surgeons or radiologists.</p><h4>Classification</h4><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Central venous catheters</strong> (<strong>CVC</strong>) or <strong>lines</strong> (<strong>CVL</strong>) refer to a wide range of central venous access devices but can broadly be divided into four categories. They may be inserted by medical, surgical, anaesthetic/ITU, or radiology specialists.</p><h4>Classification</h4><ul>
  • -<a title="brachial vein" href="/articles/brachial-vein">brachial</a>, <a title="Basilic vein" href="/articles/basilic-vein-1">basilic</a> or <a title="Cephalic vein" href="/articles/cephalic-vein-1">cephalic veins</a> (for PICCs and implantable ports)</li>
  • +<a href="/articles/brachial-vein">brachial</a>, <a href="/articles/basilic-vein-1">basilic</a> or <a href="/articles/cephalic-vein-1">cephalic veins</a> (for PICCs and implantable ports)</li>

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