Background Information: Catheter Types
Guidelines for the Prevention of Intravascular Catheter-Related Infections (2011)
Table 1. Catheters Used for Venous and Arterial Access
| Catheter type | Entry Site | Length | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peripheral venous catheters | Usually inserted in veins of forearm or hand | <3 inches | Phlebitis with prolonged use; rarely associated with bloodstream infection |
| Peripheral arterial catheters | Usually inserted in radial artery; can be placed in femoral, axillary, brachial, posterior tibial arteries | <3 inches | Low infection risk; rarely associated with bloodstream infection |
| Midline catheters | Inserted via the antecubital fossa into the proximal basilic or cephalic veins; does not enter central veins, peripheral catheters | 3 to 8 inches | Anaphylactoid reactions have been reported with catheters made of elastomeric hydrogel; lower rates of phlebitis than short peripheral catheters |
| Nontunneled central venouscatheters | Percutaneously inserted into central veins (subclavian, internal jugular, or femoral) | ≥8 cm depending on patient size | Account for majority of CRBSI |
| Pulmonary artery catheters | Inserted through a Teflon® introducer in a central vein (subclavian, internal jugular, or femoral) | ≥30 cm depending on patient size | Usually heparin bonded; similar rates of bloodstream infection as CVCs; subclavian site preferred to reduce infection risk |
| Peripherally inserted centralvenous catheters (PICC) | Inserted into basilic, cephalic, or brachial veins and enter the superior vena cava | ≥20 cm depending on patient size | Lower rate of infection than nontunneled CVCs |
| Tunneled central venous catheters | Implanted into subclavian, internal jugular, or femoral veins | ≥8 cm depending on patient size | Cuff inhibits migration of organisms into catheter tract; lower rate of infection than nontunneled CVC |
| Totally implantable | Tunneled beneath skin and have subcutaneous port accessed with a needle; implanted in subclavian or internal jugular vein | ≥8 cm depending on patient size | Lowest risk for CRBSI; improved patient self-image; no need for local catheter-site care; surgery required for catheter removal |
| Umbilical catheters | Inserted into either umbilical vein or umbilical artery | ≤6 cm depending on patient size | Risk for CRBSI similar with catheters placed in umbilical vein versus artery |
Page last reviewed: November 5, 2015