Peripheral venous catheter

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.
A peripheral intravenous catheter in place, fixed to a patient's arm with adhesives and attached to a drip.

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. Upon insertion, the line can 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' or 'Cathlon' for these venous catheters). In 1950 they consisted of PVC plastic.[1] [2]

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.[3]

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, a local anaesthetic 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.[4] Although these catheters can best not be left in place longer than necessary, the need to replace these catheters routinely is debated.[5] Expert management has been shown to reduce the complications of peripheral lines.[3][6]

Additional images

References

  1. ↑ Massa DJ, Lundy JS, Faulconer A, Jr, Ridley RW (5 Jul 1950). "A plastic needle.". Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin 25 (14): 413–415. PMID 15430460.
  2. ↑ Rivera AM, Strauss KW, Van Zundert A, Mortier E (2005). "The history of peripheral intravenous catheters : How little plastic tubes revolutionized medicine". Acta Anaesth. Belg. line feed character in |title= at position 69 (help)
  3. 1 2 Soifer NE, Borzak S, Edlin BR, Weinstein RA (March 1998). "Prevention of peripheral venous catheter complications with an intravenous therapy team: a randomized controlled trial". Arch. Intern. Med. 158 (5): 473–7. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.5.473. PMID 9508225.
  4. ↑ CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Aug 2002. "Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections". Retrieved 2008-03-13.
  5. ↑ Bregenzer T, Conen D, Sakmann P, Widmer AF (January 1998). "Is routine replacement of peripheral intravenous catheters necessary?". Arch. Intern. Med. 158 (2): 151–6. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.2.151. PMID 9448553.
  6. ↑ Miller JM, Goetz AM, Squier C, Muder RR (1996). "Reduction in nosocomial intravenous device-related bacteremias after institution of an intravenous therapy team". J Intraven Nurs 19 (2): 103–6. PMID 8852171.

External links

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