Definition
A central venous catheter, or ZVK for short, is a thin tube that is advanced through a large vein to just before the heart. The other end is free outside the body and usually consists of several accesses. These can be used to administer fluids (infusions) and medications on the one hand and to draw blood on the other.
In addition, even the pressure in the venous system can be measured. A central venous valve is inserted in the hospital, for example during major operations. Since bacteria could enter the body when the catheter is placed, careful hygiene must be ensured and the catheter must be removed if there is a fever or other signs of infection.
Indication
A central venous catheter is usually placed when safe and large access to the blood circulation system is needed. The reasons for this are manifold. In the case of large and long-lasting operations, which may require subsequent treatment in an intensive care unit, a central venous catheter is often placed in advance.
An indication may also arise if another access route via a needle in the arm is not possible due to poor vein conditions. There are also fluids (infusions) that irritate smaller veins in particular, so that they should be administered via a large central vein using a central venous catheter. Artificial liquid nutrition via the blood should also be administered via a central access.
In addition, there are medications that should exert their effect directly on the heart and should be administered as close to it as possible. For this purpose, a ZVK is also indicated. In addition to this use of the catheter as an access route, there are other possible uses and thus indications. With the help of special measuring devices, for example, the central venous pressure and oxygen saturation can be measured directly. This allows a detailed monitoring of important body function values, for example of patients being treated in an intensive care unit.
