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Central Line Catheter


Why is this procedure done?


A central line catheter is a very long intravenous line (I.V.) The Broviac, Hickman, and Hohn are different kinds of central lines. They are a long, thin, flexible tubes or catheters. The catheter is put in your arm, neck, groin, or chest through the skin. It goes into a large blood vessel that leads to your heart. It gives a direct path into your blood. ‚  
This kind of I.V. is used if you need to have drugs or fluids for a few weeks or months. The type of line you will have placed is based on how much medicine or nutrition you need during treatment. You may need a line that has 1, 2, or 3 tips coming out of the skin. This will be able to give you more fluid, drugs, or liquid food. A central line is also used when drugs need to be given through an I.V. and the veins in your arm are very hard to find. Sometimes, this kind of I.V. is used to draw blood for tests. ‚  
With a central line catheter, you can draw blood often and not need to have as many needle sticks. ‚  


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What will the results be?


A central line catheter can make it easier to: ‚  
  • Give drugs like chemo, antibiotics, or drugs for pain when needed for long-term care
  • Get liquid food into the body
  • Give blood products if needed
  • Give I.V. drugs when it is too hard to get a needle into your veins
  • Give certain types of drugs that smaller veins might not be able to handle
  • Take blood samples when being checked often

What happens before the procedure?


Your doctor will take your history. Talk to the doctor about: ‚  
  • All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
  • Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
  • If you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
  • Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
    • Lab tests
    • X-rays
  • You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.

What happens during the procedure?


  • Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
  • Your doctor will make a small cut near your collarbone. This is called the insertion site. Another small cut is made in the middle of your chest. This is the exit site. The doctor will make a small tunnel under your skin between the two cuts. The catheter will be pulled through the tunnel. The end with a few openings will be stitched to the exit site. The doctor will find the vein and thread the other end of the catheter into it. The tip of the catheter will be in a large vein near your heart.
  • The procedure takes about 1 hour.

What happens after the procedure?


An x-ray is taken to make sure the line is in the right place. The line is looped on top of your skin and a special clear dressing is applied. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Fight an infection
  • Treat your condition
  • Prevent blood clots
  • Treat cancer
  • Give fluids or blood products
  • Give nutrition

What problems could happen?


  • Infection
  • Bleeding from the skin or end of the catheter
  • Blood clots in your vein or at the end of the catheter that can cause a blockage
  • Break or crack in the catheter
  • Leakage of drugs outside the vein, under the skin or fat tissues
  • Air in the blood
  • Abnormal heartbeat
  • Collapsed lung

Where can I learn more?


National Institute of Health ‚  
http://www.cc.nih.gov/ccc/patient_education/pepubs/hickman.pdf ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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