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Table of Contents
Purpose
Central Line vs. Standard IV
Risks
Frequently Asked Questions
A central line is a type ofcatheter(flexible tube) that allows fluids to flow in and out of your body. It is placed in a large vein so blood can be drawn and variousintravenous(IV) fluids can be delivered directly into a vein.
Common reasons for central line placement include:
A central line, also known ascentralvenouscatheter, is larger than a typical IV line and has benefits that make it more useful in some cases.
Science Photo Library / Getty Images
This article covers what central lines are used for. It also explains how one is placed and some of the associated risks.
What Is the Purpose of a Central Line?
A central line may have up to five ports calledlumens. These can be used to give fluids, draw blood, or take measurements.
A central line may be used for a number of reasons:
What Is IV Therapy?
What Is the Difference Between a Central Line and a Standard IV?
A standard IV is the type of IV that many people are familiar with. This involves the placement of a catheter in a small vein, like on your wrist or the inside of your elbow, so that medication or IV hydration can be given.
Unlike a central line, a standard IV does not allow for the removal of fluids from the body.
While useful in many settings, a standard IV falls short in some ways that make a central line a better choice in certain circumstances.
Central LineTunneled central lines can remain in place for weeks or monthsCan deliver a greater volume of fluids at one timePlaced in a large vein to allow medications to work more quicklyAllows blood to be drawn easilyGreater risk of infectionStandard IVCan stay in place for 72 to 96 hoursLower limit to how much fluid can be delivered per hourPlaced into a smaller vein near skin’s surface; fluids take more time to circulateDoes not allow for drawing of bloodLess risk of infection
Central LineTunneled central lines can remain in place for weeks or monthsCan deliver a greater volume of fluids at one timePlaced in a large vein to allow medications to work more quicklyAllows blood to be drawn easilyGreater risk of infection
Tunneled central lines can remain in place for weeks or months
Can deliver a greater volume of fluids at one time
Placed in a large vein to allow medications to work more quickly
Allows blood to be drawn easily
Greater risk of infection
Standard IVCan stay in place for 72 to 96 hoursLower limit to how much fluid can be delivered per hourPlaced into a smaller vein near skin’s surface; fluids take more time to circulateDoes not allow for drawing of bloodLess risk of infection
Can stay in place for 72 to 96 hours
Lower limit to how much fluid can be delivered per hour
Placed into a smaller vein near skin’s surface; fluids take more time to circulate
Does not allow for drawing of blood
Less risk of infection
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Aperipherally inserted center catheter (PICC)is another type of IV access that can be maintained for weeks and months. This is not the same as a central line, but it does share many of the same features.
How Is a Central Line Placed?
If you need to have a central line placed, you’ll be asked to lie flat, exposing the area where the line will be inserted. A central line can also be placed if you are unconscious, in which case practitioners will position you appropriately.
The most common veins used to place a central line are:
Before the Procedure
Before the central line procedure:
You will also sign a consent form and receive IV fluids. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider any questions you may have.
During Placement
During the procedure, the environment and equipment are kept as sterile as possible.
During placement:
A central line placement procedure takes about an hour.
After placement, the area is cleaned again. A sterile dressing is placed over the insertion site, with the lumens accessible. The dressing is typically clear, which allows the healthcare team to check for signs of infection without exposing the site more than is necessary.
Before the line can be used, its placement must be confirmed with anX-ray, an imaging technique. This ensures that medications won’t be accidentally delivered into tissue or the wrong blood vessel.
Sometimes the catheter may need adjustment if it is placed too far in the vessel or not far enough.
Drugs Given Before, During, and After Surgery
What Are the Risks of a Central Line?
Central lines come with risks. These risks must be weighed against the need for the line. The potential for infection is the greatest concern.
Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection
A central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) happens when microbes, like bacteria, enter the bloodstream through the central line.
Hospitals have best practices in place to helpprevent infections, including:
Signs of Infection After Surgery
Other Risks
Other risks of a central line include:
The Difference Between Embolus and Thrombus
Summary
A central line is a type of catheter that goes in a large vein. It makes blood draws easier and allows for the delivery of large amounts of fluid for medication or hydration. Some types of central lines can remain in place for weeks or even months.
A central line is very useful. However, it’s not without risks, including the potential for infection, a collapsed lung, and more.
Frequently Asked QuestionsA PICC line is placed in the arm rather than the chest, neck, or groin. It is a very long type of catheter that is threaded up through a vein in the arm toward the heart.Days, weeks, or months. This is true as long as there are no complications, such as an infection or blockage.Tunneled central lines can remain in place for weeks or months; temporary ones stay in for only a few days due to the risk of blood stream infections.You are positioned on your back. You may be asked to breathe out while holding your nose with the hand opposite the catheter. At the same time, your healthcare professional puts pressure on the site and gently pulls the line out.The internal jugular vein in the neck, the subclavian vein near the clavicle, and the femoral vein in the groin are common sites for a central line.
A PICC line is placed in the arm rather than the chest, neck, or groin. It is a very long type of catheter that is threaded up through a vein in the arm toward the heart.
Days, weeks, or months. This is true as long as there are no complications, such as an infection or blockage.Tunneled central lines can remain in place for weeks or months; temporary ones stay in for only a few days due to the risk of blood stream infections.
Days, weeks, or months. This is true as long as there are no complications, such as an infection or blockage.
Tunneled central lines can remain in place for weeks or months; temporary ones stay in for only a few days due to the risk of blood stream infections.
You are positioned on your back. You may be asked to breathe out while holding your nose with the hand opposite the catheter. At the same time, your healthcare professional puts pressure on the site and gently pulls the line out.
The internal jugular vein in the neck, the subclavian vein near the clavicle, and the femoral vein in the groin are common sites for a central line.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) basics.Ghafoori Yazdi M, Shoghli A, Faghihi S, Baratloo A.Central venous pressure monitoring; introduction of a new device.Emerg (Tehran). 2016;4(2):52-54.University of Florida Health.Central venous line placement.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cardiac catheterization.Ling ML, Apisarnthanarak A, Jaggi N, et al.APSIC guide for prevention of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2016;5:16. doi:10.1186/s13756-016-0116-5Bream PR Jr.Update on insertion and complications of central venous catheters for hemodialysis.Semin Intervent Radiol. 2016;33(1):31-38. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572547Stanford Medicine.Temporary central line.Lee KH, Cho NH, Jeong SJ, Kim MN, Han SH, Song YG.Effect of central line bundle compliance on central line-associated bloodstream infections.Yonsei Med J. 2018;59(3):376-82. doi:10.3349/ymj.2018.59.3.376Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11Wang L, Liu Z-S, Wang C-A.Malposition of central venous catheter: presentation and management.Chin Med J. 2016;129(2):227-234. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.173525Wong SS-M, Kwaan HC, Ing TS.Venous air embolism related to the use of central catheters revisited: with emphasis on dialysis catheters.Clin Kidney J. 2017;10(6):797-803. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfx064American Thoracic Society.Central venous catheter.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.CVC removal: a procedure like any other.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) basics.Ghafoori Yazdi M, Shoghli A, Faghihi S, Baratloo A.Central venous pressure monitoring; introduction of a new device.Emerg (Tehran). 2016;4(2):52-54.University of Florida Health.Central venous line placement.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cardiac catheterization.Ling ML, Apisarnthanarak A, Jaggi N, et al.APSIC guide for prevention of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2016;5:16. doi:10.1186/s13756-016-0116-5Bream PR Jr.Update on insertion and complications of central venous catheters for hemodialysis.Semin Intervent Radiol. 2016;33(1):31-38. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572547Stanford Medicine.Temporary central line.Lee KH, Cho NH, Jeong SJ, Kim MN, Han SH, Song YG.Effect of central line bundle compliance on central line-associated bloodstream infections.Yonsei Med J. 2018;59(3):376-82. doi:10.3349/ymj.2018.59.3.376Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11Wang L, Liu Z-S, Wang C-A.Malposition of central venous catheter: presentation and management.Chin Med J. 2016;129(2):227-234. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.173525Wong SS-M, Kwaan HC, Ing TS.Venous air embolism related to the use of central catheters revisited: with emphasis on dialysis catheters.Clin Kidney J. 2017;10(6):797-803. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfx064American Thoracic Society.Central venous catheter.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.CVC removal: a procedure like any other.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) basics.Ghafoori Yazdi M, Shoghli A, Faghihi S, Baratloo A.Central venous pressure monitoring; introduction of a new device.Emerg (Tehran). 2016;4(2):52-54.University of Florida Health.Central venous line placement.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cardiac catheterization.Ling ML, Apisarnthanarak A, Jaggi N, et al.APSIC guide for prevention of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2016;5:16. doi:10.1186/s13756-016-0116-5Bream PR Jr.Update on insertion and complications of central venous catheters for hemodialysis.Semin Intervent Radiol. 2016;33(1):31-38. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572547Stanford Medicine.Temporary central line.Lee KH, Cho NH, Jeong SJ, Kim MN, Han SH, Song YG.Effect of central line bundle compliance on central line-associated bloodstream infections.Yonsei Med J. 2018;59(3):376-82. doi:10.3349/ymj.2018.59.3.376Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11Wang L, Liu Z-S, Wang C-A.Malposition of central venous catheter: presentation and management.Chin Med J. 2016;129(2):227-234. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.173525Wong SS-M, Kwaan HC, Ing TS.Venous air embolism related to the use of central catheters revisited: with emphasis on dialysis catheters.Clin Kidney J. 2017;10(6):797-803. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfx064American Thoracic Society.Central venous catheter.Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.CVC removal: a procedure like any other.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) basics.
Ghafoori Yazdi M, Shoghli A, Faghihi S, Baratloo A.Central venous pressure monitoring; introduction of a new device.Emerg (Tehran). 2016;4(2):52-54.
University of Florida Health.Central venous line placement.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Cardiac catheterization.
Ling ML, Apisarnthanarak A, Jaggi N, et al.APSIC guide for prevention of central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI).Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2016;5:16. doi:10.1186/s13756-016-0116-5
Bream PR Jr.Update on insertion and complications of central venous catheters for hemodialysis.Semin Intervent Radiol. 2016;33(1):31-38. doi:10.1055/s-0036-1572547
Stanford Medicine.Temporary central line.
Lee KH, Cho NH, Jeong SJ, Kim MN, Han SH, Song YG.Effect of central line bundle compliance on central line-associated bloodstream infections.Yonsei Med J. 2018;59(3):376-82. doi:10.3349/ymj.2018.59.3.376
Tsotsolis N, Tsirgogianni K, Kioumis I, et al.Pneumothorax as a complication of central venous catheter insertion.Ann Transl Med. 2015;3(3):40. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2305-5839.2015.02.11
Wang L, Liu Z-S, Wang C-A.Malposition of central venous catheter: presentation and management.Chin Med J. 2016;129(2):227-234. doi:10.4103/0366-6999.173525
Wong SS-M, Kwaan HC, Ing TS.Venous air embolism related to the use of central catheters revisited: with emphasis on dialysis catheters.Clin Kidney J. 2017;10(6):797-803. doi:10.1093/ckj/sfx064
American Thoracic Society.Central venous catheter.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.CVC removal: a procedure like any other.
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