Venous Access Device placement with imaging guidance

A central venous catheter is a small tube that is inserted underneath you skin so that there is a simple, pain free way for doctors or nurses to draw blood and give you medications or nutrients. When have a central venous access catheter you are spared the irritation and discomfort of repeated needle sticks. There are several different types of central venous access catheters including tunneled catheters such as a Hickman or peripherally inserted catheters a PICC, or an implantable chest or arm port. These are regularly used in patients who are getting long term chemotherapy treatments, long term infusions of antibiotics, nutritional supplements or hemodialysis.

These catheters can be placed by interventional radiologists which is the safest method of placement as interventional radiologists utilize both ultrasound as well as skills with fluoroscopy to guide the procedure. If you have any questions or you or your doctor would like to schedule with our department please call (404) 851-6577.