CENTRAL LINE PLACEMENT

Course overview

A CENTRAL LINE IS A LARGE-BORE CENTRAL VENOUS CATHETER THAT IS TYPICALLY PLACED USING A STERILE TECHNIQUE UNLESS A PATIENT IS UNSTABLE, IN WHICH CASE STERILITY MAY BE A SECONDARY CONCERN. SOME INDICATIONS FOR CENTRAL VENOUS LINE PLACEMENT INCLUDE FLUID RESUSCITATION, BLOOD TRANSFUSION, DRUG INFUSION, CENTRAL VENOUS PRESSURE MONITORING, PULMONARY ARTERY CATHETERIZATION, EMERGENCY VENOUS ACCESS FOR PATIENTS IN WHICH PERIPHERAL ACCESS CANNOT BE OBTAINED, AND TRANSVENOUS PACING WIRE PLACEMENT. THIS ACTIVITY DESCRIBES THE INDICATIONS AND TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN CENTRAL LINE PLACEMENT AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN ENSURING THAT THE PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED SAFELY.