What is a central line infusion?

A central line (or central venous catheter) is like an intravenous (IV) line. But it is much longer than a regular IV and goes all the way up to a vein near the heart or just inside the heart. A patient can get medicine, fluids, blood, or nutrition through a central line. It also can be used to draw blood.

What is central line procedure?

A central line is a tiny tube that is placed in a vein for long-term drug therapy or kidney dialysis.

What is central line used for?

What is a central venous catheter, and why is it used? A central venous catheter, also known as a central line, is a tube that doctors place in a large vein in the neck, chest, groin, or arm to give fluids, blood, or medications or to do medical tests quickly.

Is a central line the same as an IV?

A central venous catheter differs from an intravenous (IV) catheter placed in the hand or arm (also called a “peripheral IV”). A central line is longer, with a larger tube, and is placed in a large (central) vein in the neck, upper chest or groin.

What is the difference between a PICC line and a central line?

A PICC line is a longer catheter that’s also placed in the upper arm. Its tip ends in the largest vein of the body, which is why it’s considered a central line. PICC stands for “peripherally inserted central-line catheter.” A CVC is identical to a PICC line, except it’s placed in the chest or neck.

What are the risks of a central line?

Complications included failure to place the catheter (22 percent), arterial puncture (5 percent), catheter malposition (4 percent), pneumothorax (1 percent), subcutaneous hematoma (1 percent), hemothorax (less than 1 percent), and cardiac arrest (less than 1 percent).

Can nurses insert central lines?

Nurses have been successfully inserting tunnelled central venous catheters (TCVCs) since 1991 and have accepted this expansion of their role in order to improve the quality of the service to patients (Hamilton, 1995).

What chemo needs central line?

Under what special circumstances might a doctor recommend a port or central line? If you need a continuous infusion of chemotherapy through a portable pump at home, you’ll need a central line.

Why use a PICC line instead of a central line?

A PICC line is thicker and more durable than a regular IV. It’s also much longer and goes farther into the vein. Health care providers use a PICC line instead of a regular IV line because: It can stay in place longer (up to 3 months and sometimes a bit more).

Can a central line cause a stroke?

Central arterial catheterization is an unusual cause for acute ischemic stroke and presents management challenges.

Why do patients get central lines?

Purpose of a Central Line If a patient needs fluid resuscitation, meaning large amounts of intravenous fluids need to be given, a central line may be placed to allow fluid to flow faster. Central lines can be used to draw blood as well.

How does a central line get infected?

A central line bloodstream infection (CLABSI) occurs when bacteria or other germs enter the patient’s central line and then enter into their bloodstream. These infections are serious but can often be successfully treated. Health care workers, patients and families can play an active role in CLABSI prevention.