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Central venous cathetersDisclaimer: This fact sheet is for educational use only. Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child. What is a central venous catheter?This fact sheet is part of a section about childhood cancer. To access the rest of the content in this section, see Childhood cancer.
A central venous catheter – sometimes called a 'CVC' or a 'line' - is a device which provides entry from outside the body to a large central vein leading directly into the heart.
A central venous catheter is used to administer chemotherapy and other medications, nutritional fluids, intravenous fluids and blood products. It can also be used to withdraw samples of blood for testing. A CVC remains in place for the duration of treatment, except for a peripherally inserted one which is a temporary catheter.
There are two types of central venous catheter:
For more information about the different types of central venous catheters, see:
 Back to TopWhich CVC will be used for my child?The device type to be used for your child will be determined by your child's age and treatment type. The oncology team will discuss with you which one will suit best.
Ask your nurse for details about the CVC selected for your child.
Back to TopIs it painful to have a CVC inserted or removed?External and subcutaneous catheters are put in under a general anaesthetic in the operating theatre. Your child will be asleep and will feel nothing while the insertion procedure is taking place. See:
A PICC Line may be put in under a general anaesthetic in the operating theatre and it may also be put in on the ward with the use of a local anaesthetic.
Back to TopIs it painful afterwards?There may be some pain during the first one or two days after insertion. Analgesics (pain relieving medicine) will be prescribed by the anaesthetist or another doctor to ensure your child is comfortable.
You can read about pain in the following fact sheets:
Back to TopAcknowledgementsAll the fact sheets in the Childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the nurses' working group of the Paediatric Oncology Steering Group (POSG) of the Children's Cancer Services in New Zealand. Medical information is authorised by the POSG chair.
Back to TopHow to use your notes belowYou may like to fill out the Your notes text box below to include the following information:
Once you have filled out the text box, you can print it. The text you've entered in the text box will print with the rest of this fact sheet.
Back to TopYour notesEndorsement
This fact sheet was endorsed by PSNZ - 15/11/2010
CopyrightFact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation. © The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012
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