What Is a Central Venous Catheter? A Complete Guide to the Types of Central Venous Catheter

Central venous access devices are foundational to modern acute and long-term patient care. For procurement leaders, clinical directors, head nurses, and purchasing professionals in hospitals and clinics, understanding what a central venous catheter is, when it’s used, and the key types of central venous catheter available is essential for informed decision-making and effective supply chain strategy.

In this guide, we’ll demystify central venous catheters, explore how they’re inserted, and break down the major catheter types so you can align clinical needs with procurement choices.

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What Is a Central Venous Catheter?

A central venous catheter (CVC) also commonly called a central line is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into a large vein and threaded until the tip rests near the heart, typically in the superior vena cava.

Unlike standard peripheral IVs placed in smaller arm or hand veins, central venous catheters deliver medications, fluids, nutrients, or blood products directly into the central circulation. They also allow clinicians to draw frequent blood samples with minimal patient discomfort and provide access for advanced hemodynamic monitoring when needed.

Common Clinical Uses

Healthcare teams may decide to insert central venous catheter lines for a wide range of reasons, including but not limited to:

• Administering chemotherapy, long-term antibiotics, or vasoactive drugs
• Delivering parenteral nutrition in patients unable to tolerate oral feeding
• Frequent blood sampling without repeated needle sticks
• Rapid infusion of fluids or blood products in critical care
• Dialysis or apheresis access in specialised care settings
• Central venous pressure monitoring

Because the catheter tip sits in a large vein near the heart, therapies are distributed efficiently and with reduced risk of irritation to smaller peripheral vessels.

How Is a Central Venous Catheter Inserted?

A trained healthcare professional often a specialist physician or advanced practice nurse inserts the catheter using strict sterile technique. Ultrasound guidance is commonly used to visualise the target vein and reduce complications.

The specific steps vary depending on the type of device, but generally include:

1. Preparing and disinfecting the insertion site.
2. Administering local anaesthesia (and sometimes sedation).
3. Using a needle and guidewire to access the target vein.
4. Advancing the catheter over the guidewire to it’s final position near the heart.
5. Securing and dressing the catheter site.
6. Verifying correct placement (typically with imaging like chest X-ray).

The decision to insert central venous catheter is clinical and based on patient condition, therapy duration, and infection control considerations.

Types of Central Venous Catheter

Central venous access devices are not one-size-fits-all. The types of central venous catheter you choose will depend on how long the device is needed, the clinical purpose, care setting (acute vs outpatient), and infection risk profiles. Here’s a breakdown of the most common categories:

1. Non-Tunnelled Central Venous Catheters

These are the most basic form of CVC. They’re inserted percutaneously into central veins such as the internal jugular, subclavian, or femoral vein and exit the skin at the insertion point.

Use case:

• Short-term therapy (generally days to a couple of weeks)
• Emergency access in critical care or urgent settings

Pros:

• Fast placement
• Flexible for acute needs

Cons:

• Higher infection risk compared to tunnelled or implantable devices
• Not ideal for long-term access without frequent site care

2. Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs)

PICC lines are inserted through a peripheral vein in the upper arm (often the basilic or cephalic vein) and advanced so the tip sits centrally near the heart.

Use case:

• Medium-term intravenous therapy (weeks to months)
• Outpatient or home infusion settings

Pros:

• Lower infection rates than non-tunnelled catheters
• Can be placed at the bedside or in a clinic
• Multiple lumens available for simultaneous therapies

Cons:

• Not always suitable when higher flow or specialised access (e.g., dialysis) is needed

3. Tunnelled Central Venous Catheters

These devices are inserted under the skin and “tunnelled” before entering a central vein. A cuff in the subcutaneous tunnel helps secure the catheter and reduce infection risk.

Use case:

• Long-term treatments such as chemotherapy
• Patients requiring frequent or prolonged intravenous access

Pros:

• Lower infection risk than non-tunnelled CVCs
• Stability for long durations

Cons:

• Surgical placement and specialised training required

4. Implantable Ports (Port-A-Cath or Subcutaneous Ports)

Implantable ports are a type of tunnelled CVC where the entire device sits under the skin. Access is achieved by inserting a special needle through the skin into the port reservoir.

Use case:

• Long-term intermittent therapy (e.g., chemotherapy)
• Situations where external lines may interfere with daily activities

Pros:

• Lowest infection risk among central venous catheters
• Improved patient comfort and quality of life
• No external hardware when not accessed

Cons:

• Requires minor surgical implantation and trained clinicians for accessing the port

Strategic Considerations for Procurement and Clinical Leadership

Choosing the right type of central venous catheter involves balancing clinical efficacy, safety, and cost. Key considerations include:

• Infection control risk: Tunnelled catheters and implantable ports generally exhibit lower central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rates.
• Duration of therapy: PICCs and ports are better suited for longer courses, whereas non-tunnelled lines are geared for acute needs.
• Training and placement resources: Some devices require specialised workforce competencies or facilities.
• Patient experience and outpatient care: Ports and PICCs may support home or ambulatory therapy, decreasing hospital stays.

Supporting Safe and Efficient Central Line Placement

At Pennine Healthcare, we understand that selecting the right central venous catheter solution goes beyond the device itself. Standardisation, efficiency, and infection prevention all play a vital role in supporting clinical teams and improving patient outcomes.

That’s why Pennine Healthcare offers Central Venous Catheter Packs designed to support best practice during central line insertion. Our packs bring together the essential components required to insert central venous catheter devices safely and consistently, helping to reduce variation, streamline procurement, and support compliance with local protocols.

By consolidating key items into a single, ready-to-use solution, Pennine Healthcare’s CVC packs can help hospitals and clinics:

• Improve procedural efficiency and set-up time
• Support infection prevention initiatives
• Simplify inventory management and purchasing processes
• Promote standardisation across departments and care settings

Whether you’re reviewing existing vascular access pathways or exploring ways to optimise supply chains, our team works in partnership with healthcare organisations to deliver solutions aligned with both clinical and operational priorities.

Learn more about Pennine Healthcare’s Central Venous Catheter Packs and how they can support your organisation’s approach to vascular access care.