Central venous catheter
or
central venous catheter
Port-a-Cath (port catheter)
A port catheter consists of a chamber, which serves as a reservoir for the administered infusions, and a thin plastic tube connected to it. This is inserted into a large blood vessel and reaches just before the right atrium of the heart. The chamber is protected under the skin (subcutaneous) - in this way the risk of infection can be significantly reduced. It is closed by a silicone membrane. When doctors want to administer medication and other liquids, they pierce a special cannula (port needle with a thin tube to connect the infusions) through the skin and the silicone membrane. In principle, the port catheter can remain under the skin and in the vein for several years.
When do you place a port catheter?
A port catheter is often used for cancer. It ensures long-term venous access, via which infusions, for example during chemotherapy, or large amounts of fluids - as for example with artificial nutrition. can be given.
This saves the patient frequent venipuncture and the associated risks. In addition, irritation of the vessel walls can be avoided by chemotherapeutic agents. These are conveyed directly to the heart through the port catheter and then quickly distributed and diluted with the bloodstream. Since the port catheter lies beneath the skin and is thus protected from external influences, it increases the quality of life. Swimming , bathing and sports are possible without any problems. Port catheters are implanted as early as possible, provided the patient is still in good health.
Hickman
Central venous catheter
A Hickman catheter is a thin, usually double-barreled (internally split, one to three lumen) plastic tube that extends through a larger vein to the upper one Vena cava is pushed just before the right atrium of the heart. As with the normal central venous catheter (CVC), the connection is on the Skin. However, the Hickman catheter runs between the infusion connection and its entry into the vein within the subcutaneous tissue, which is why it is also one of the so-called partially implanted, tunneled-under catheters. An additional sleeve made of antimicrobial impregnated material sits inside the approximately ten centimeter long “tunnel”. This and the longer course in the subcutaneous tissue protect against infections. Doctors use the Hickman catheter especially on children.
When do you insert a Hickman catheter?
A Hickman catheter is used when patients need central venous access for long periods of time. Hickman catheters are preferred to other access routes, especially for chemotherapy or stem cell transplants and for larger infusions (artificial nutrition). You can also use the Hickman catheter blood decrease. In contrast, the Hickman catheter is not suitable for measuring central venous pressure.