About Vascular Access Services
We provide many services for people who may need access for nutrition or medications in their vascular or gastrointestinal systems.
People with certain diseases or medical conditions sometimes require that tubes be placed into the body so that they can receive medications or nutrients directly into the blood stream or gastrointestinal system, or so blood can be drawn. In the past, surgery was required to insert these tubes, but today these procedures can be done by an interventional radiologist without surgery.
In a vascular-access procedure, a special catheter is inserted inside a major vein (generally in one of the large veins in the neck, arms or legs) with the tip of catheter positioned into a large central vein.
Often these procedures are performed for patients needing:
- Intravenous Antibiotic Treatment
- Chemotherapy or Anti-cancer Drugs
- Long-Term Intravenous (IV) Feeding for Nutrition
- Repeated Drawing of Blood Samples
- Hemodialysis
- Blood Transfusions
Long term IV Access
A long term IV line is used when access is needed either temporarily (days) or long-term (weeks to years). This line offers a more secure venous access point and can be easily and repeatedly accessed over the necessary period of time.
Port Catheter
A port catheter, or subcutaneous implantable port, is a permanent device that consists of a catheter attached to a small reservoir, both of which are placed under the skin similar to tunneled catheters. This catheter is placed completely under the skin.
Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC line)
A peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is a long catheter that extends from an arm vein into the largest vein (superior vena cava) near the heart and typically provides central IV access for several weeks, but may remain in place for several months. These catheters are called midline catheters when they are placed in a way that the tip of the catheter remains in a relatively large vein, but doesn’t extend into the largest central vein.
To place a PICC line, the physician will use ultrasound or X-ray guidance to insert a small needle into the arm vein and advance a small guide wire into the large central vein, called the superior vena cava. The catheter is then advanced over the guide wire and moved into position. The guide wire is then removed. If this is done without X-ray guidance, a chest X-ray is needed to confirm the catheter position.
Hemodialysis Catheter
Hemodialysis is a treatment used when your kidneys fail and they can no longer clean your blood. Fluid build up in the body also occurs when the kidneys fail. A hemodialysis access or vascular access is a way to reach your blood for hemodialysis.
An arteriovenous graft or fistula is usually the preferred choice for permanent access. A hemodialysis catheter is recommended for temporary access. The catheter used for hemodialysis is often called a tunneled catheter because it is placed under the skin.
Tunneled catheters are often placed when a patient’s renal function becomes bad enough to need hemodialysis for the first time; before an arteriovenous fistula or graft surgery can be arranged.
There are three other reasons that a patient may need to have a hemodialysis catheter in place:
- An arteriovenous graft or shunt has been placed and is not ready to use
- An arteriovenous graft of shunt is not working properly
- There are no other options for permanent access because when patient’s blood vessels are not compatible with fistula or graft placement