What is a CVC?
A Central Venous Catheter (CVC), also called a central line, is a long, thin, soft hollow tube placed into a large vein leading to the heart — usually in the neck, upper chest, leg, or arm.
Unlike a standard IV, a CVC can deliver fluids and medications directly into a larger vein and can remain in the body for a much longer period.
Why is a CVC Needed?
- To give IV medications over a long period — such as antibiotics or chemotherapy
- To rapidly deliver large amounts of fluid or blood in emergencies or shock
- To directly measure blood pressure in a central vein and guide fluid management
- To take frequent blood samples without repeated needle sticks
- To deliver nutrition directly into the blood when oral feeding is not possible
- To connect the patient to a haemodialysis machine for kidney failure
Types of CVC
Non-Tunnelled
Used for short-term access. Inserted at the bedside and removed when no longer needed.
Tunnelled / PICC
Used for longer-term access — weeks to months. Threaded under the skin for stability and lower infection risk.
Risks
- Discomfort during placement
- Bleeding — usually mild and stops on its own
- Infection — minimised with careful sterile technique and regular dressing changes
- Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) during insertion
- Blood clot or tube blockage — prevented by regular flushing
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax) — rare, treated with a chest tube if needed
- Air embolism or bleeding on removal
How Long Will it Stay In?
The CVC stays in place as long as it is needed and remains free of blockage or infection — this may be days to months. The ICU team checks it daily and will remove it as soon as it is no longer required.