What is a Central Venous Catheter for Hemodialysis?
What is a Central Venous Catheter for Hemodialysis?Pg 1TranscriptIf you have kidney failure, you may need hemodialysis to clean your blood. In order to access yourbloodstream for your regular treatments, your healthcare provider may recommend you get acentral venous catheter. A central venous catheter may also be called a central line, a tunneledcatheter or a CVC.A CVC is usually only used for a short time while you wait for a safer, permanent way to accessyour bloodstream. Safer options include fistula or graft access and should be your goal for longterm hemodialysis treatment.A CVC is a very thin, flexible tube called a catheter. It travels through a small insertion in your neckor upper chest, under your skin, to a large blood vessel ending just above your heart.During hemodialysis, blood moves through the catheter, out of your body and to an artificial kidney.There, your blood is cleaned, toxins and fluids are removed, and then the clean blood is returnedback to your body through the catheter.On the outside of your chest you will be able to see two openings called “lumens”. When havinghemodialysis, your blood will come out of your body through 1 lumen and go back into your bodythrough the other. When you aren’t having your treatment, a sterile cap covers each lumen toprevent infection and a clamp on each lumen can open the tube for treatment or close the tubewhen it is not in use to prevent infection or blood loss. A clean dressing covers the catheter whereit enters your body, further protecting you from infection.To insert the catheter, a trained member of your healthcare team may use an X-ray or ultrasoundmachine to guide the catheter through a vein in your upper chest or neck. When your catheter isfirst inserted you may feel some discomfort. Your healthcare provider may recommend you takepain medications for a short time to relieve any discomfort.Because you may have an increased risk of infection with a catheter, it is very important to followall of your healthcare provider’s instructions when caring for it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.They are there to help.This program is for informational purposes only; for all health related issues please contact your healthcareprovider. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of this videofor medical decision making. rn_10001_98 ©Milner-Fenwick, Inc.
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