A Central Venous Access Catheter (CVAC) is a tube that is inserted beneath your skin, giving doctors and nurses a simple, pain-free way to draw your blood or give you medication or nutrients. When you have a CVAC, you are spared the irritation and discomfort of repeated needle sticks. Several types of CVACs have been developed, including tunneled catheters, Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (also called PICC lines), dialysis catheters and implantable ports. These medical devices can be inserted by an interventional radiologist without surgery.
Doctors often recommend CVACs for patients who regularly are given:
chemotherapy treatments
infusions of antibiotics or other medications
tube-fed nutritional supplements
hemodialysis.
What to expect
You can receive medication to help you relax and the area where the insertion will be performed will be numbed. An interventional radiologist will insert a needle into the skin, creating a slender tunnel. The Central Venous Access Catheter is then inserted through the opening, with the tip coming to rest in a large vein. You may feel some pressure and slight discomfort during the procedure, but it is not very painful.
Patient preparation
Do not eat or drink anything for several hours before this procedure. When we schedule your procedure, we will give you additional specific instructions.
Side effects and complications
Your radiologist will discuss any possible complications with you, and will answer your questions before asking you to sign a consent form.
Follow-up care
Follow-up instructions will be given to you at the time of your procedure. All such care is specific to the procedure performed and to your personal health.
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