Central Venous Catheterization

A central venous catheter, also called a central line or central venous access catheter, is a catheter placed into a large vein, a form of venous access typically used in critically ill patients or those requiring prolonged intravenous therapy for more reliable vascular access. These catheters are commonly placed in veins in the neck, chest, groin, or through veins in the arm as a peripherally inserted central catheter, and are used to administer medication or fluids that cannot be given by mouth or would harm a smaller peripheral vein, to obtain blood tests including central venous oxygen saturation, to administer fluid or blood products for large-volume resuscitation, and to measure central venous pressure. The catheters used are typically 15 to 30 centimeters long, made of silicone or polyurethane, and carry single or multiple lumens for infusion.