Central Venous Catheter: A Revolutionary Medical Device Saving Lives Through Innovation

 

Central Venous Catheter

What is a Central Venous Catheter?

A central venous, also known as a CVC or central line, is a long, thin, flexible tube inserted into a large vein in the neck, chest, or groin to deliver medications, fluids, nutrients or blood products directly into the bloodstream. CVCs can remain in place for weeks or months and are often used in patients who need frequent or long-term intravenous access.

Types of Central Venous

There are several different types of CVCs based on the location and duration of use:

Peripheral Catheters vs

Peripheral IV catheters are inserted into veins in the arms or hands. They are smaller and more superficial than central lines. While they can deliver fluids and medications, the pressures and flow rates are lower. Central lines are deeper and can tolerate higher flow rates and pressures suitable for critical patients.

Tunnelled Catheters

Tunnelled catheters like Hickman and Broviac lines have their entire length inserted under the skin and exit out at a stable exit site to prevent discomfort or dislodging from daily activities. They are suitable for longer term use from one month up to a year before needing replacement.

Non-Tunnelled Catheters

Non-tunnelled Central Venous Catheter like PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines are fully inserted into veins but exit the skin at the insertion site making them susceptible to accidental removal. They are suitable for short term use of less than a month.

Implanted Ports

Implanted ports are completely under the skin with a self-sealing silicone septum accessed using a non-coring needle. They are suitable for chemotherapy and long term antibiotics requiring frequent access without repeated sticks to veins.

Insertion and Placement of Central Venous

Central lines are inserted by interventional radiologists or surgeons in sterile operating or procedure rooms under ultrasound or X-ray guidance.

The most common sites are:

- Internal jugular vein in the neck.

- Subclavian vein under the collarbone.

- Femoral vein in the groin.

The vein is cannulated and the CVC is guided into the desired central vein using real-time imaging. Ports require a small surgical procedure under local anaesthesia for implantation. Precise placement is important to avoid complications.

Benefits and Uses of Central Venous

CVCs provide reliable long-term IV access that is vital for:

- Delivery of fluids, blood, medications and nutrients in large volumes or at high pressures or flow rates not feasible through peripheral lines. This is important for critically ill or postoperative patients.

- Ability to draw blood samples, monitor central venous pressure and administer contrast dyes for imaging tests which need central access.

- Long-term antibiotic therapy often requiring weeks of treatment for serious infections can only be safely administered through a central line.

- Chemotherapy requiring frequent high dose infusions directly introduced to the bloodstream over several hours or days.

- Total parenteral nutrition for patients unable to receive nutrition by mouth long-term.

- Plasmapheresis (plasma exchange) procedures performed to routinely filter plasma as a long-term treatment for various conditions.

Potential Complications of Central Venous Catheters
While lifesaving in many clinical situations, CVCs are not without risks and potential complications if not properly cared for. Some common problems include:

- Infection rates of 5-26% depending on insertion site and line type requiring antibiotic treatment.

- Thrombosis or blood clots forming around the catheter tip which may embolize as clots to the lungs in severe cases. Daily heparin flush is used to prevent this.

- Accidental dislodgement or removal pulling the catheter out of the vein if line is caught on clothing or not secured properly.

- Pneumothorax or collapsed lung can occur if the catheter is accidentally inserted into the lung during placement through neck or upper chest veins.

- Arrhythmias in rare cases from direct contact of catheter tips with the heart chambers. Echocardiography is used for precise placement into large central veins near the heart.

- Bleeding risks from puncture of other vessels during insertion or migration of catheter tip during use. Strict sterile technique and imaging guidance aims to prevent this.

- Local infection at skin exit site or along the subcutaneous tunnelled portion of the catheter needing antibiotics and sometimes catheter replacement.

In Summary, with proper selection of catheter type, sterile insertion technique, trained experienced operators and maintenance of the line, the benefits of central access can be provided safely based on individual patient needs. Overall they are a vital medical technology when other IV access options cannot support required treatments.

 

Get more insights on – Central Venous Catheter

Explore Related Articles- Medical Imaging Equipment Market

About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)