What is a central line catheter?
The central line catheter, also known as the central venous catheter, is a thin, flexible tube that has inserted into a vein and threaded to the heart or central vein of the chest. This device allows medical professional to administer medicines and blood transfusions and also to obtain blood samples. The central line catheter can also help monitor and record different types of blood pressure. This is usually a routine outpatient procedure. In an external central line catheter, it leaves the tube through the skin, while the inner catheter does not have an outlet point. If the patient routinely receives fluids, medicines and nutritional supplements intravenously, the patient's physician may consider inserting a central line catheter. The location of the central line eliminates or drastically reduces the amount of injections and intravenous catheters in the arm. This can save the healthy veins and skin of the patient, as frequent needles and specialized medicines can be harmful.
The doctor generally inserts a central line catheter while the patient is in a hospital that receives anestheticÉ medication. The doctor makes a small cut and mixes the catheter into the body. At this point, the inner catheter is closed into the body, while the outer catheter requires a second cut for the place of departure. The doctor provides the stitches and applies a sterile bandage to the place where the catheter leaves the body.
external and internal central line catheters are selected for various reasons. The inner central line catheter requires a needle to deliver the medication through the skin and tubes; Therefore, the outer catheter is preferable if the patient often uses the line. The external lines come out of the skin, howver, the caregiver must be careful to keep them clean to prevent infection. However, the inner catheter is closed in the body and does not require special bandages or extensive care.
One of the advantages of the central line catheter is that it allows for drugs in the comfort of the patient's house. In an individual who receives frequent or routine drugs and intravenous nutrition may be a constantAntenna trips to the hospital or inpatient hospital therapy difficult and unpleasant. The Central Line catheter allows caregivers or a home health assistant to easily administer medicines outside the hospital. The patient's caregiver must be well educated in the care and cleaning of the central line and also ready to contact a healthcare professional if there are any signs of infection or catheter complications.