| VENOUS
ACCESS, PORTS AND PICC LINES
Permcath
in place on right chest x-ray
Perncath
A Permcath is a large catheter placed by the Radiologist
under ultrasound guidance in the jugular vein of the neck.
The catheter is tunneled under the skin of the chest to
anchor it and to decrease the chances of infection. A permcath
is used for hemodialysis.
Port Catheter resovoirs
A Port is a catheter placed in a vein of the neck, chest
or arm under ultrasound guidance. This long catheter has
it's tip in the main vein near the heart and has a reservoir
implanted under the skin surface. It is useful for patients
who require long term intravenous therapy like chemotherapy.
The reservoir or port can be accessed through the skin surface
with a special needle. Once the tiny incision heals the
entire system is beneath the skin and less prone to infection.
Port catheters can remain implanted for years.
PICC Catheter
A PICC line is a catheter which is placed in the arm with
ultrasound guidance. Like the port it is long and extends
to the main vein before the heart, the Superior Vena Cava.
It has no reservoir ,exits through the skin and can only
be left in place for up to six months.
The
venous access catheters described above are placed in the
angiography room utilizing both ultrasound and x-ray guidance
under sterile conditions. All are outpatient procedures.
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