Peripheral venous catheter

Peripheral venous catheter


thumb|right|Standard catheter. 1. The catheter itself is composed of (a) a tip for insertion into the vein, (b) wings for manual handling and securing the catheter with adhesives, (c) a valve to allow injection of drugs with a syringe, (d) an end which allows connection to an intravenous infusion line, and capping in between uses. 2. The needle (partially retracted) which serves only as a guidewire for inserting the cannula. 3. The protection cap which normally covers the needle's tip.

In medicine, a peripheral venous catheter (PVC or "peripheral venous line" or "peripheral venous access catheter") is a catheter (small, flexible tube) placed into a peripheral vein in order to administer medication or fluids. Once placed, the line can also be used to draw blood.

The catheter is introduced into the vein by a needle (similar to blood drawing), which is subsequently removed while the small tube of the cannula remains in place. The catheter is then fixed by taping it to the patient's skin (unless there is allergy to adhesives). Newer catheters have been equipped with additional safety features to avoid needlestick injuries. Modern catheters consist of synthetic polymers such as teflon (hence the often used term 'Venflon' for these venous catheters).

A peripheral venous catheter is the most commonly used vascular access in medicine. It is given to most emergency room and surgical patients, and before some radiological imaging techniques using radiocontrast, for example. In the United States, more than 25 million patients get a peripheral venous line each year.cite journal |author=Soifer NE, Borzak S, Edlin BR, Weinstein RA |title=Prevention of peripheral venous catheter complications with an intravenous therapy team: a randomized controlled trial |journal=Arch. Intern. Med. |volume=158 |issue=5 |pages=473–7 |year=1998 |month=March |pmid=9508225 |doi= |url=http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9508225]

A peripheral venous catheter is usually placed in a vein on the hand or arm. It should be distinguished from a central venous catheter which is inserted in a central vein (usually in the internal jugular vein of the neck or the subclavian vein of the chest), or an arterial catheter which can be placed in a peripheral as well as a central artery. In children, local analgesic (painkiller) gel (such as lidocaine) is applied to the insertion site to facilitate placement.

Complications

Infection, phlebitis, extravasation, infiltration, air embolism, hemorrhage (bleeding) and formation of a hematoma (bruise) may occur.

Because of the risk of insertion-site infection the CDC advises in their guideline that the catheter needs to be replaced every 96 hours. [cite web
last = CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Aug 2002
title = Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections
url=http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5110a1.htm | accessdate = 2008-03-13 ] Although these catheters can best not be left in place longer than necessary, the need to replace these catheters routinely is debated.cite journal |author=Bregenzer T, Conen D, Sakmann P, Widmer AF |title=Is routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters necessary? |journal=Arch. Intern. Med. |volume=158 |issue=2 |pages=151–6 |year=1998 |month=January |pmid=9448553 |doi= |url=http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9448553] Expert management has been shown to reduce the complications of peripheral lines.cite journal |author=Soifer NE, Borzak S, Edlin BR, Weinstein RA |title=Prevention of peripheral venous catheter complications with an intravenous therapy team: a randomized controlled trial |journal=Arch. Intern. Med. |volume=158 |issue=5 |pages=473–7 |year=1998 |month=March |pmid=9508225 |doi= |url=http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=9508225] cite journal |author=Miller JM, Goetz AM, Squier C, Muder RR |title=Reduction in nosocomial intravenous device-related bacteremias after institution of an intravenous therapy team |journal=J Intraven Nurs |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=103–6 |year=1996 |pmid=8852171 |doi= |url=]


=Additional

References

External links

* [http://www.cancer.gov/templates/db_alpha.aspx?CdrID=463728 National Cancer Institute: peripheral venous catheter]
* [http://www.health.qld.gov.au/chrisp/icare/pivc_rec_prac.pdf Recommended practices for the insertion and management of peripheral intravenous cathers (PIVC)]


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • peripheral venous catheter — A small, flexible tube used to deliver fluids into the body. A needle is used to insert the catheter into a vein, usually in the back of the hand or in the forearm. The tubing is then taped to the skin to hold it in place …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • Central venous catheter — In medicine, a central venous catheter (CVC or central venous line or central venous access catheter ) is a catheter placed into a large vein in the neck (internal jugular vein), chest (subclavian vein) or groin (femoral vein). It is used to… …   Wikipedia

  • Catheter — disassembled In medicine, a catheter (pronounced /ˈkæθɪtər/) is a tube that can be inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel. Catheters thereby allow drainage, administration of fluids or gases, or access by surgical instruments. The… …   Wikipedia

  • Peripheral vascular disease — Classification and external resources ICD 10 I73.9 …   Wikipedia

  • catheter — 1. A tubular instrument to allow passage of fluid from or into a body cavity or blood vessel. SEE ALSO: line (4). 2. Especially a c. designed to be passed through the urethra into the bladder to drain it of retained …   Medical dictionary

  • Venous catheterization — The insertion of a tiny tube (a catheter) into a peripheral or central vein to deliver fluids or medication. This is the most frequently used method for the administration of intravenous (IV) fluids and IV meds (medications). The most common… …   Medical dictionary

  • Jugular venous pressure — A man with congestive heart failure and marked jugular venous distension. External jugular vein marked by an arrow. The jugular venous pressure (JVP, sometimes referred to as jugular venous pulse) is the indirectly observed pressure over the… …   Wikipedia

  • Catheterization, venous — The insertion of a tiny tube (a catheter) into a peripheral or central vein to deliver fluids or medication. This is the most frequently used method for the administration of intravenous (IV) fluids and IV meds (medications). The most common… …   Medical dictionary

  • Peripherally inserted central catheter — A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC or PIC line) is a form of intravenous access that can be used for a prolonged period of time, e.g. for long chemotherapy regimens, extended antibiotic therapy or total parenteral nutrition. First… …   Wikipedia

  • Drug injection — Shoot up redirects here. For shooting video game genre, see Shoot em up. This article is not about medical practice. For medical practices, see Intramuscular injection or Intravenous therapy. A piece of a hypodermic needle, as seen on X ray, in… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”