(CVC) Management Guidance - the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust ...

Appendix 5 Types of Central Venous Catheters
CVC Device Use Picture Location Advantages Disadvantages
Peripherally inserted
central catheter
(PICC)
Non tunnelled central
venous catheter
e.g. Hohn catheter,
Triple Iumen catheter
Tunnelled central
venous catheter
e.g. Hickman,
Groshong and
Broviac line
Inserted via the
antecubital veins in the
arm and advanced into
central veins until the tip
is in the superior vena
cava. It’s position must
be checked by chest X-
ray
Inserted directly into the
vein, these devices are
mainly used in theatres
and intensive care units
for therapies of less
than 3 weeks duration.
It has a lifespan of 5-7
days but can remain insitu
for up to 14 days
(check manufacturers
instructions).
Not placed directly into
vein but are tunnelled
through the skin for
approx 5cm, the tunnel
reduces the risk of
infection.
1.Ease of insertion and
removal
2.Fewer insertion
complications
3.Low incidence of
related
infection/thrombosis
4. Can be used in home
setting
1.Can be inserted at
bedside
2. Good access, several
lumens
3. High flow continuous
access
1.Low infection rate
2.Patient comfort
3. No external fixation
4. Long term
1. Smaller lumen/flow
2. Mechanical Phlebitis at
insertion site
3. Problems with kinking
1. Highest rate of all CVC
infections
2. Requires external sutures
3. Uncomfortable for patients
4. Requires frequent changing 5-7
days
5. Difficulty maintaining
exit/dressing site
1. Surgical incision
2. Requires surgical removal
3. External portion of catheter
visible
Subcutaneous Port
e.g. Port-a-cath
Totally implanted
vascular access device
that is inserted into the
chest wall, lower
ribcage or antecubital
area. The port is
accessed via a noncoring
(huber point)
needle.
Error!
1. Patient comfort no
external sutures
2. No exit dressing
required
3. Requires less
maintenance
1. Use of needle to access port
2. Local skin ulceration through
repeated use
3. Shorter life span than a
tunnelled CVC
4. Requires surgical removal
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