Central Venous Catheter Triple Lumen: Overview

Introduction of Central Venous Catheter Triple Lumen

Central Venous Catheter Triple Lumen is also known as a CVC Kit, it’s a long, flexible tube that your healthcare Professional inserts into the neck, chest, arm, or groin area of your body into a vein. It comes out through the vena cava (a large vein that the blood flows into your heart). A Central Venous Catheter Triple Lumen helps to receive essential drugs, fluids, or blood for emergency or long-term treatment. It also helps with blood draws. This Kit is very important aspect in making this life saving procedure possible. Each kit contains all the required components for safe and effective catheter placement. This blog post will talk about the components, uses, and importance of a CVC Kit and its contribution to better patient care.

What is a Central Line catheter ?

A Central venous catheter(CVC KIT) also known as a central line, is a device that facilitates the administration of various treatments for medical conditions. It is basically a long thin flexible tube introduced through a vein in your body. It travels through one or more veins, proceeding until its tip reaches the main vein that drains into the vena cava, carrying blood into your heart.

So, the tip of your Kit is at your vena cava, the other end lies somewhere on your chest, both above or below your skin, on your right side. If it’s on the outer surface of your skin, it’s called a hub. You can see and feel the hub because it lies outside your body.

This device allows your physician to have a direct access to your blood without multiple pricks on your vein. Thus, it is best for patients who need medication, fluid, or blood draw and transfusion for an extended time.

Components of a Central Venous Catheter Triple Lumen Kit : 

It comprises a complete package of all the products that are considered critical for the safe and effective insertion of a Central Venous Catheter triple lumen kit . While components can vary depending on brand and purpose, most kits include the following basics:

• Three Lumen Central Venous Catheter– This is the core component of the kit. These are typically made of flexible biocompatible materials such as polyurethane or silicone. CVC Kit  are available in various sizes, lengths and configurations depending upon the type of vein that is being accessed and the clinical requirements of a patient.
• Insertion Needle – The needle punctures the skin and the vein. At times, the needle may be a larger gauge needle, to allow an easy glide for the catheter after the initial puncture.
• Guidewire – A guidewire is a thin, flexible wire. This offers a guide that can be used to direct the Central Venous Catheter Triple Lumen into the vein. It ensures proper Kit placement with the least possible chances of incorrect insertion.
• Dilator – A dilator is applied to the punctured vein or tissue tract to stretch out for a free entry of the catheter. The dilator minimizes tissue trauma and facilitates the easy placement of the catheter.
• Syringe – A syringe is usually available to rinse the catheter or to withdraw blood when inserted or after placement.

Types of Central Venous Catheter Triple Lumen Kit :

There are different types of Central venous access, which are chosen based on the patient’s condition and the location of the insertion site. Common types include:

• Non-tunneled CVC Kit : These are inserted directly into a large vein, usually in the neck (jugular vein), chest (sub-clavian vein), or groin (femoral vein). They are generally short-term devices.
• Tunnelled CVC Kit: These catheters are inserted into a vein but are threaded under the skin before entry into the bloodstream. Often, Tunnelled Kit would be used for long-term treatment as well as are accompanied by a lower risk of infection when compared to non-tunnelled Kits.
• Implanted Ports: These are a type of tunneled catheter that is completely under the skin, making them less conspicuous and unlikely to be infected. They tend to be used for long term chemotherapy.
• PICC Lines (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter): Not technically a CVC, PICC lines are often used as a temporary replacement for central line  and are placed in a peripheral vein in the arm.

Your healthcare provider will tell you which type of central line you need. So it depends on the specific medical needs and how long it’s needed.

Who places a Central Venous Catheter Kit ?
A Proceduralist, which is a type of physician, places central lines. A Proceduralist is a specialised physician trained to perform specific medical procedures.

How frequently are central venous catheters administered ?
Central line placement is a relatively common procedure. Millions of people get a three lumen central venous catheter every year.

Procedure Details
Where are commonly used insertion locations for a central venous catheter ?
Three common access locations for the placement involve your :

• Internal jugular vein: Found in your neck.
• Subclavian vein: Found in your upper chest.
• Common femoral vein: Found in your groin.Each location has its pros and cons. Your provider will decide on the best placement based on your situation.

How to perform Central Venous Catheterization :

Placement of a Central Venous Catheter triple lumen must be done strictly by technique to avoid complications like infection and bleeding or accidental damage to other structures. A general outline of the procedure is described here:

1. Preparation: The patient is placed in a convenient position, and the skin at the proposed point of insertion of the catheter is cleaned with antiseptic solution. The doctor may use local anesthetic to reduce pain.
2. Insertion of the Needle: The physician applies the needle to access the vein. With the vein identified, he places the needle inside it, and blood is confirmed to be returning.
3. Guide wire placement: Once the needle is placed, the guide wire is advanced from the needle through the needle into the vein. This gives a pathway stable enough for catheter placement.
4. Dilation: The physician now uses the dilator to dilate the vein and provide a channel for catheter placement.
5. Catheter Placement: The catheter is then gently passed over the guidewire into the vein. Ultrasound or X-ray are used to check the position is correct.
6. Fixing the Catheter: When correctly positioned, the catheter is fixed with sutures or adhesive dressings and the insertion site is fixed with gauze and bandages.

• After the Procedure Care: Complications such as infection or bleeding are promptly monitored through the patient, and the catheter functions and is checked regularly.

Risks and Complications of Central Venous Catheter Insertion

Central Venous Catheter triple lumen placement has several risks. Some of the most common complications include:

• Infection: This is probably the most common complication from the insertion of a CVC kit and occurs in an extended period of catheter indwelling. Proper aseptic techniques and maintenance at the site are essential to prevent infection.
• Pneumothorax: This is a rare but serious complication where the lung is punctured during insertion. It should be treated urgently.
• Thrombosis: There may be blood clotting around the catheter, that can cause venous obstruction or even pulmonary embolism
• Bleeding: The large veins usually involved increase the possibility of bleeding at the time of insertion or from movements of the catheter.

Catheter Malposition: A wrongly placed catheter will reduce the effectiveness or pose complications to the patient.

CVC Kit Uses in Emergency, Long-Term Therapy, and Intravenous Access

The CVC kit gives reliable central venous access for emergency care, long-term treatments, and intravenous therapy in following procedures:

• Blood and/or platelet transfusions
• Chemotherapy
• Fluids or blood during an emergency setting, such as hypovolemic shock.
• Frequent blood draws.
• Hemodialysis.
• Long-term antibiotics.
• Nutrients directly given into their bloodstream if their digestive system cannot process the nutrients.
• Medication delivery in a home setting.
• Placement of a Vena cava filter

Recovery and Outlook
How will I take care of my central venous catheter ?

• Your provider will educate you on how to maintain your catheter from the comfort of your home. Be sure to follow these instructions so you can reduce your risk for infection. You must clean the hub and surrounding tissue of your kit thoroughly.
• You might also need to visit your provider regularly so that they can flush your kit. This keeps the lines open and free of blood clots.

When To Call the Doctor

When should I see my healthcare provider ?

Call your provider right away if you have symptoms or signs of the infection, these include:

• Fever
• Pain or tenderness around your port or hub.
• Redness or red streaks in the surrounding skin.
• Warm or swollen skin.
• Yellow or green drainage.
• Call your provider right away if your catheter appears to be growing longer. This might indicate that it’s exiting your vein. If your catheter falls out or you pull it out, contact your provider immediately.

Your provider will let you know how often to present for the care. Don’t hesitate to call your provider anytime you have questions or concerns.

Note from GST Corporation
Central Venous Catheter triple lumen save many lives in a multitude of medical conditions. If you require a central line, ask your provider what type would be best suited for you, and why. You should also ask your provider about your procedure’s benefits and risks as well as how to care for your catheter at home.

Conclusion

The Central Venous Catheter triple lumen Kit is a must for healthcare providers when dealing with patients who require long-term intravenous access or specific treatments. The kit gives all the necessary components for the safe and efficient catheter insertion that ensures critical care procedures are achieved without causing complications. Although associated risks are implied, the advantages of using the central line in critical conditions far outweigh the potential complications and thus forms part of modern medical practice.