termsTerm
Central venous access (port, PICC line)
aka port-a-cath, implanted port, PICC, PICC line, central line, central venous catheter, Hickman line, tunnelled line
A long-term line into a large vein near the heart, either a small disc under the skin (port) or a tube from the arm (PICC), so chemotherapy can be given and blood drawn without repeated needle sticks.
Vesicant drugs (anthracyclines, vinca alkaloids), continuous infusions (5-FU pumps) and cell therapies are safer through central access, which avoids extravasation and vein damage. Ports last years and allow swimming; PICC lines are cheaper but need weekly care and carry higher thrombosis and infection risk. Both are sources of line infection and catheter-related thrombosis, so they are removed when no longer needed.
Category
Procedures