Chemotherapy

In situations requiring intravenous (IV) chemotherapy, CVCs are considered when patients must receive multiple doses or have poor peripheral venous access. Like TPN, many chemotherapeutic agents can cause phlebitis when introduced into peripheral veins. Subcutaneously implanted ports have become a common form of central access for chemotherapy. These ports allow infusions of medication while minimizing the need for daily catheter care. Catheter-related thromboembolic complications have been reported at a rate of 12% to 64% of these patients.

Hemodialysis

To achieve long-term hemodialysis access, the recommended approach involves surgical construction of a primary arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft. However, in certain clinical situations, CVCs are required for temporary or permanent hemodialysis. Central venous catheterization is the preferred method for patients in whom kidney function is expected to return within a short time and is also used for emergent hemodialysis. In some patients, external angioaccess may be necessary if kidney failure sets in during the window period required for the AVF or prosthetic angioaccess graft to mature. Efforts should be made to remove the CVC once more permanent AV access is established. Long-term use of CVCs can result in central venous stenosis and thrombosis, which can compromise future peripheral AV access sites.

When patients are not candidates for AVFs or prosthetic angioaccess grafts, hemodialysis requires chronic central venous access. Children weighing less than 25 to 30 kg typically do not have upper extremity vessels suitable for AVF, with or without prosthetic graft material. In the setting of extensive arterial occlusive disease, AVFs or prosthetic angioaccess grafts can cause arterial steal syndromes by diverting blood from distal arteries to the venous limb of the fistula. Patients who have already had multiple failed AVFs or prosthetic angioaccess grafts might require external methods of hemodialysis. In these patients, the construction of multiple fistulas has often obliterated all anatomic locations for additional AVFs or grafts. Finally, patients with limited cardiac reserve may be unable to tolerate AVFs or synthetic angioaccess grafts because of the risk of high-output congestive heart failure.

Transition Access Devices

Transition access devices are also percutaneous nontunneled catheters, but they are designed to facilitate extended IV therapy. The PICC line is most commonly used. PICC lines are inserted through an antecubital vein and advanced centrally into the superior vena cava or right atrium. The use of PICC lines for extended IV therapy reduces cost by allowing the procedure to be performed outside of an operating room. However, these devices are secured using only sutures, and they can become dislodged more than tunneled devices. Most nontunneled catheters also lack the subcutaneous cuff present on tunneled devices.

Tunneled Catheters

Tunneled catheters were developed to facilitate long-term administration of IV therapy. Two commonly used tunneled devices are the Broviac and Hickman catheters. The Broviac catheter (Figure 1) was designed for prolonged infusion of TPN in children, and the Hickman catheter was developed to allow long-term central venous access in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Both are now used for a variety of IV treatments, and they are also used in combination as a Hickman–Broviac double-lumen catheter. The catheters share many characteristics, including silicone elastic (Silastic) composition and a proximal cuff. The cuff anchors the catheter to surrounding soft tissues while also providing a mechanical barrier to infectious organisms. The main difference between these devices is catheter diameter. When using a Hickman–Broviac catheter, the smaller Broviac line is used for TPN or other forms of IV therapy. The larger Hickman line may serve as an additional line for IV therapy or as a source for blood withdrawal.

When using either CVC, access may be achieved using the subclavian, internal jugular, or femoral veins. Portable ultrasound and fluoroscopy should be used routinely when placing these lines. The distal end is advanced to a location just above the right atrium, and the proximal end exits the lower anterior chest wall (Figure 2), anchored to the subcutaneous tissue by the cuff. Because of the silicone elastic composition, both catheters have low thrombogenicity but are susceptible to perforation or rupture. For this reason, guidewires should not be used to attempt clearance of obstructed catheters. Obstructed catheters should instead be irrigated using syringes no larger than 5 mL. Another recommended practice is to irrigate the lines with normal saline after any IV infusions to prevent occlusion or mixing of incompatible solutions. Hickman lines must be irrigated with heparinized saline after blood transfusions to prevent clot formation within the lumen.

The Groshong catheter is another silicone elastic tunneled device used for long-term IV therapy. The catheter has a relatively thin wall and small diameter, allowing bedside insertion using local anesthesia. This unique catheter is closed at its distal end but has a pressure-sensitive two-way valve near this tip. The valve prevents backflow after infusions but allows blood withdrawal with application of gradual negative pressure. This valve eliminates the need for heparin flushes, and catheter maintenance involves little more than weekly saline flushes. The manufacturer does recommend irrigation with normal saline after infusion of TPN or blood products.

Implanted Ports

Implanted ports are unique in that they reside completely beneath the skin and are accessed percutaneously. The device consists of a catheter attached to a titanium or plastic reservoir with a silicone access septum. Vascular access is accomplished by penetrating the self-sealing septum with noncoring needles that are specialized to minimize destruction of the septum. Implanted ports are ideal for patients receiving intermittent chemotherapy. The device requires minimal maintenance and can reduce the incidence of catheter-related infection.

Subclavian Vein Approach

The subclavian vein is an alternative location used for the placement of CVCs. Advantages of this approach include its easily identified landmarks and relative comfort for the patient undergoing long-term IV therapy.

After placing the patient in the Trendelenburg position, the landmarks used for catheterization should be identified. An understanding of the anatomic relationships in this region is helpful (Figure 3). The subclavian vein arches over the first rib and passes posterior to the clavicle and anterior to the insertion of the scalenus anterior muscle. The vein is most easily accessed as it passes over the first rib. Both the lateral head of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the division of the medial and middle thirds of the clavicle can serve as landmarks for this optimal site of catheterization.

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