Whats Is It?

A Central Venous Catheter (CVC) or Central Line is an intravenous line that is used for giving the patient fluids and or medications. It may be used when the patient does not have adequate veins in the arms or when certain medications or nutrients need to be given that cannot go through the smaller veins found in the arm.

It is inserted through the subclavian or jugular vessels to finally rest in the superior vena cava above the right atrium.

By measuring venous pressure it can be used to regulate fluid volume, and therfore increase or decrease perfusion to the brain, organs and tissues and regulate urinary output.

If the venous pressure is too high, diuretics are used and fluid volume is reduced, if the pressure is too low, fluid is added through the catheter. It can also be used for the administration of drugs, fluids and total parental nutrition (TPN).

Central Lines Example

◄... go back to Central Lines homepage
◄... go back to General Radiography homepage