Vascular Access Procedures

What is it?

When a patient needs to have blood drawn or medication delivered frequently for a long period of time, vascular access procedures are performed to insert a catheter into a blood vessel. The catheter can stay for weeks or years to be easily accessed.

What is for?

• Blood transfusions
• Chemotherapy
• Hemodialysis
• I.V. treatments
• For patients with difficulty receiving I.V. treatments
• Medicine delivery
• Repeated blood draws
• When there is a need for long-term access to the blood stream

How to prepare

• Discuss your medical history with your health care provider
• Talk with your health care provider about medications you are taking and any allergies you may have
• You will be given instructions about what to eat and drink prior to the procedure

Risks

• Bleeding from vein or artery damage
• Infection
• Disturbance in heart rhythm

What happens during?

• X-ray or ultrasound imaging is used to determine placement of the catheter
• The catheter insertion site is numbed with an anesthetic and an incision is made
• The catheter tip is inserted in a large vein so blood can be reached easily and repeatedly without puncturing the skin

What happens after?

• Prior to discharge from the hospital, you will be instructed on how to keep the catheter insertion site clean and dry
• You can usually resume normal activities after several days
• You should avoid lifting heavy objects for several days following the procedure

Side effects

• Bleeding, fluid leakage, swelling, tenderness or warmth at the catheter site
• Breathing difficulty
• Chest pain
• Fever
• Irregular heartbeat
• Swelling in the head, neck, shoulder or arm

More information:

• RadiologyInfo.org