posted
I was watching "Under our Skin" again last night and realized something, I heard them talking about inserting into the Vena Cava. Isn't that in the heart?????
I don't know about that. Sounds dangerous and scary to me.
For those who have been on IV antibiotics....where did they insert your PICC line....or whatever it's called.
-------------------- "~*~My smile hides my bite~*~." Posts: 506 | From N/A | Registered: Jun 2008
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
It depends. A PICC line can be installed in your arm, where blood is normally drawn from, or you can have a Portacath. It's basically a device that's installed in your chest, allowing a central line to deliver the antibiotic directly to the heart.
Here is a better definition:
"A port consists of a reservoir compartment (the portal) that has a silicone bubble for needle insertion (the septum), with an attached plastic tube (the catheter). The device is surgically inserted under the skin in the upper chest or in the arm and appears as a bump under the skin. It requires no special maintenance and is completely internal so swimming and bathing are not a problem. The catheter runs from the portal and is surgically inserted into a vein (usually the jugular vein, subclavian vein, or superior vena cava.)"
I've been telling patients for awhile now, that in my opinion, given the risk of developing line sepsis from PICC lines, and the care required -- it's much wiser to invest in the procedure to have the Port installed, especially if the antibiotics will be given over a long period of time.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
A little more information:
"The septum is made of a special self-sealing silicone rubber; it can be punctured up to one thousand times before it needs to be replaced. To administer treatment or to withdraw blood, a health professional will first locate the portal and disinfect the area. Then he or she will access the port by puncturing the overlying skin with a 90� Huber point needle although a Butterfly needle may also be used. (Due to its design, there is a very low infection risk, as the breach of skin integrity is never larger than the caliber of the needle. This gives it an advantage over indwelling lines such as the Hickman line.) Negative pressure is created to withdraw blood into the vacuumized needle, to check for blood return and see if the port is functioning normally. Next, the port will be flushed with a saline solution. Then, treatment will begin. Also, after each use, a heparin lock is made by injecting a small amount of heparin (an anticoagulant) into the catheter. This prevents development of clots in the system. The port can be left accessed for as long as required, the port is covered in a dressing to protect the site from infection and to secure the needle in position.
The surgery itself is considered minor, and is typically performed under both local anaesthesia and conscious sedation. Patients sometimes have a little discomfort with breathing after the procedure, and can be managed with over the counter anti-inflammatories & tylenol.
A port is most commonly inserted as a day surgery procedure in a hospital or clinic by a surgeon or an interventional radiologist, under a local anaesthetic. When no longer needed, the port can be removed more simply in a clinic or doctor's office."
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
posted
They don't insert the catheter directly into the Vena Cava. It is threaded through your veins to the area around your heart. They usually insert the line through a very small incision in the inner arm in the brachial space (upper arm) if the veins there are able to accept the catheter. It sounds a lot scarier than it actually is! Good luck!
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