What Is a Central Line Catheter?
A catheter is a flexible tube that delivers fluids, medications or blood, usually from an IV drip, directly into the body. A central line catheter enters through one of the major veins and forms a pathway toward the heart, which pumps the fluids quickly into the patient's bloodstream. Intensive care teams often use these central venous catheters to administer urgent treatment. A central line catheter can remain in place for up to several months for patients with long-term or recurring medical issues.
Cook Medical #G03873, TRAY, DBL LUMEN POLY CENTRAL VENOUS CATH, EACH
Teleflex #AK-04301-SP, KIT, CATHETER, 16 G X 20" CENTRAL VENOUS, 10/CS
Teleflex #AK-04210, CATHETER KIT CENTRAL VEIN, 10/CS
Argon Medical Devices #384156, CATHETER, CENTRAL VENOUS, 3FR, 65CM, 20G, 5 EA/CS
Medline #DYND75233, KIT, DRESSING CHANGE, CENTRAL VENOUS CATH, 40/CS
ICU Medical #41401-23, Catheter Central Venous 20cm Triple Lumen 5/CS
Cook Medical #G47815, TRAY, CATHETER, TRIPLE LUMEN, POLY, CENTRAL, EACH
ICU Medical #41406-23, Catheter Central Venous 20cm 2Lumen 5/CS
Teleflex #ASK-42703-BH REV, KIT, CENTRAL VENOUS CATH W/BLUE FLEX TIP, EACH
Teleflex #ASK-45703-BH REV, KIT, CENTRAL VENOUS CATH W/BLUE FLEX TIP, EACH
Teleflex #CK-04711, KIT, CENTRAL VENUS CATHETER, 10/CS
Teleflex #CDC-45703-PA1A, KIT, MULTI-LUMEN CENTRAL VENOUS CATH, 5/CS
Teleflex #AK-24301-SK, KIT, N RX, CENTRAL VENOUS CATH, 16G X 8, 10/CS
Teleflex #ASK-47702-PCOR, KIT, TWO-LUMEN, CENTRAL VENOUS, CATH, EACH
Teleflex #ASK-47702-PCOR, KIT, 2-LUM, CENTRAL VENOUS, CATH, NO RETURNS, 10/CS
Medline #DYNDC1769A, CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER 2" KIT, 20/CS
Teleflex #ASK-45703-PCOR, KIT, MULTI-LUMEN, CENTRAL VENOUS, CATH, EACH
Teleflex #ASK-45703-PCOR, KIT, MULTI-LUM, CENTRAL VENOUS, CATH, NO RET, 10/CS
Teleflex #CK-04711, KIT, CENTRAL VENUS CATHETER, EACH
How Does a Central Line Catheter Work?
Central venous catheters introduce fluids right into vessels near the heart, so the infusions have a virtually immediate effect. What’s more, the flexible tubing of a central line catheter has a larger diameter than a peripheral IV, so it can convey a greater volume of fluid. In addition, central line catheters can remain in the body longer to treat ongoing medical issues.
Some of the purposes for central line catheters include:
- Multiple blood tests
- Chemotherapy for cancer
- Dialysis for kidney disease
- Medication/testing for heart disease
- Long-term intravenous medication
- Long-term nutritional fluids
Types of Central Line Catheters
A central line with an external port is more stable than a peripheral IV. It works better for outpatients because it is more likely to stay in place despite daily activities. Some of the types of central line catheters include:
- Central venous catheters, which are the same as central line catheters
- Triple lumen – a catheter with three channels for delivery of three separate fluids
- Hemodialysis – large diameter tube with two channels to remove blood for dialysis and return the cleansed blood to the body
- Introducer sheath – a large-diameter sheath that accommodates a pulmonary artery catheter or allows quicker infusion of fluids
- Non-tunneled – secured in place at the insertion point with protruding port
- Tunneled – inserted under the skin with separate exit point and a partially embedded port
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter
A PICC line is a smaller-diameter, longer-length catheter than a conventional central line catheter. Its entry point is a large vein in the arm, and It extends internally to the superior vena cava of the heart. Due to the small diameter of the PICC line, it delivers fluids more slowly than a central line, but is also less likely to become infected.
CIA Medical – Your Central Line Catheter Supplier
Rather than shopping different suppliers for the types of central line catheters your facility needs, save time by ordering everything from CIA Medical. Our comprehensive catalog includes 5,000 brands and 500,000 medical products, and we offer quick quotes too. Contact us online or call (312) 275-5850 for white-glove service.
