SMTL Medical Disposable Datacard

CV Catheter set- single lumen (CVP)

Description

Central venous catheter sets (also known as CVPs) must include the following items: a catheter, a dilator, suture wings, an introducer needle (with IV cannua), a guidewire with holder and a syringe. Other items may be present (see below).

The lumen of the catheter possesses a slide clamp and female luer (a removable injection port or needle-free connector may also be attached to some of the lumen). The width of the lumen is printed on the tube itself as well as on the packaging. Sets always include an IV cannula with needle. These sets may also include a mini scalpel and a connecting cable for ECG leads (ECG leads may be sometimes required in Cardiology but not for Anaesthetics).

Key areas where used

• Coronary care
• Theatre
• HDU
• A and E

Method of use

CV catheters with a  single lumen are usually used for long term therapeutic administration (such as long term antibiotic administration, chemotherapy and parenteral nutrition). Three-way stop-cocks are no longer used and most kits now come with a needle-free connector. The type of connector may be important as there are some incompatibilities to consider, especially with the Aurum prefilled glass syringes used for emergency and resus drugs.

Please note: Luer-compatible needle free connectors should be incompatible with whichever non-luer neuraxial connectors are adopted in the Welsh NHS.

To insert the catheter, the patient is placed in the 'head down' position. The introducer needle generally has a cannula over it, so that following puncture of a central vein the needle can be withdrawn and the guidewire inserted via the cannula. The guidewire possesses a holder which allows sterile and controlled handling of the guidewire during insertion.  Once inserted, the guidewire is advanced down the vein. The needle and cannula are then removed and the dilator inserted over the guidewire and removed to increase the size of the insertion hole. Once this is complete, the multi-lumen catheter is inserted over the guidewire and the guidewire removed. This is known as the Seldinger technique. The catheter is secured by suturing the wings to the skin.

Presentation

Sets are individually packaged in a peel pouch

Sizes Required

• 12-16cm (the standard catheter length used for most procedures)
• 20cm (this catheter length should only to be used for left sided central lines or possibly femoral lines, and tend to be used for tall patients)
• 14-20G (catheter lumen diameter)

Example products

The following table lists examples of products known to be acceptable for this product description.

Editors

P Phillips and J Ford

Please inform SMTL of any inaccuracies noted or amendments required in this datacard.

Disclaimer

This datacard has been prepared as an aid to contracting for purchasers in the NHS in Wales, and should not be used as a substitute for literature, instructions or training from the manufacturers of the devices.

Products mentioned in this datacard are for illustration purposes only and should not be seen as an endorsement of these products.