| Health / Medical Topics |
Central venous access catheter
Pronunciation
Definition 1
A thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a vein in the upper arm, thigh, or neck or below the collarbone. It is guided (threaded) into a large vein near the heart called the vena cava or into the right atrium of the heart. It is used to give intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and chemotherapy and other drugs, and for taking blood samples. It avoids the need for repeated needle sticks. (NCI Dictionary)
Definition 2
A tube surgically placed into a blood vessel for the purpose of giving intravenous fluid and drugs or for obtaining blood samples. (NCI Thesaurus)
Definition 3
A tube surgically placed into a blood vessel for the purpose of giving intravenous fluid and drugs. It also can be used to obtain blood samples. This device avoids the need for separate needle insertions for each infusion or blood test. Examples of these devices include Hickman catheters, which require clamps to make sure the valve is closed, and Groshong catheters, which have a valve that opens as fluid is withdrawn or infused and remains closed when not in use. (NCI Dictionary)
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
