A catheter is a thin tube, often made of soft plastic, that can be inserted into a desired part of the body. Catheters are considered medical devices and are prescribed by medical professionals. You can also learn more about types of catheters and other medical supplies in Canada on canmeddirect. Here is what type you may need — and why.
Types of Catheters
First things first — the definition:
A vein catheter is a device used to draw blood and perform treatments, including intravenous administration of fluids, medications, or blood transfusions.
It looks like a thin, flexible tube is inserted into a vein, usually on the back of the hand. A needle is inserted into the port to draw blood or inject fluids.
Once the indication for central vein catheterization has been established, the physician has several sites to choose from, including the internal jugular vein, subclavian vein, femoral vein, or peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC).
Intravenous catheters deliver drugs or fluids directly into the bloodstream. There are two types of catheters in a vein.
Peripheral catheter
The simplest and cheapest type. A peripheral venous catheter is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein for a short time, up to four days. It is usually inserted into the lower arm – the forearm, the foot, or the back of the hand. It is used for intravenous fluid infusions, blood transfusions, chemotherapy, and other medications.
Central venous catheter
Used if you need to take medicine for a long time. It is inserted into the neck, leg, arm, or upper chest and connects to one of the large veins that enter and exit the heart.
Can stay in the body for months or even years.
Subclavian catheter
Subclavian catheters can be temporary or permanent, simple, tunneled, or connected to a port under the skin. Subclavian catheters can be single or multi-lumen, and the diameter of the catheter can also vary.
Central catheters provide reliable intravenous access and allow control of hemodynamics and blood sampling. The subclavian veins are often the preferred location for central vein access, including tunnel catheters and subcutaneous ports for chemotherapy, long-term antimicrobial therapy and parenteral nutrition.
Why Do You Need it?
A venous port is a small container that is surgically placed on your arm. A venous catheter exiting from it is guided into the superior vena cava. As the venous port is hidden under the skin, it is almost invisible and allows you to continue your daily activities and lead your usual active life.
What is the venous port for?
The venous port is used for the intravenous administration of medications or nutrient solutions, drawing blood for analysis, blood transfusions,or hemodialysis (a procedure to remove toxic uremic substances in case of uremia).
Installation of a venous port is necessary in long-term treatment, at least in these cases:
- Continuous intravenous administration of medications is needed;
- Intravenous administration through peripheral veins is too complicated (e.g., anticancer drugs);
- The condition of the peripheral veins is poor — the veins are fragile or difficult to find (e.g., diabetic patients, patients undergoing chemotherapy).
The insertion of a venous port allows medications to be injected into a vein for 1-3 years (or longer, depending on the health problem and use of the port) and other procedures mentioned above.
It is your physician who decides if you need a venous port insertion and who will refer you to the appropriate procedure. Your physician also decides whether to remove the venous port as well.
If you have a venous port and plan to inject medicine or take blood for analysis, a special needle is placed on the port. The venous port needle is injected through the skin into the venous port and secured with a plaster.
The procedure is practically painless, easy to tolerate due to the thin needle, and is accompanied only by a slight pricking sensation.
