Central Line Overview:A central line is a tube inserted into a vein, ultimately reaching the chest area of a major vein that returns blood to the heart or directly into the heart. Central lines serve multiple purposes, such as allowing concentrated solutions to be infused with a reduced risk of complications. They enable the monitoring of specific blood pressures, including central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, and pulmonary wedge pressures. Additionally, central lines can be used to assess cardiac output and vascular resistance. The external end of the catheter can be attached to a chamber for long-term medication injections. This setup eliminates the need for frequent small injections or IV drips in the arms and enables patients to receive medications or fluids at home rather than in a hospital setting.Central lines can be placed for either short-term or long-term use. Long-term lines include the cuffed or tunneled line and the long line that terminates in a rubber bulb or reservoir.Potential complications from a central line include pneumothorax (air in the chest due to a punctured lung), hemothorax (bleeding in the chest), hydrothorax (fluid in the chest), bleeding under the skin, and infection. If the line disconnects, air may enter the bloodstream, potentially leading to breathing difficulties or an embolism.A central line is also known as a central venous catheter (CVC).
