Intravenous catheters are medical instruments that are tube-shaped and are used to administer drugs, as well as flush vessels and natural channels. Each catheter is equipped with a needle, which is inserted into the cavity of the vein, and a special tube through which fluid enters the body. Such medical devices need to be fixed to the human skin, so they are attached using suture material or a regular patch.
Indications for catheter use:
- need for transfusion of blood components;
- emergency conditions that require quick access to the bloodstream;
- conducting parenteral nutrition;
- hydration or hyperhydration of the body;
- fast and accurate administration of the drug in the desired concentration.
Types of catheters
Distinguish between soft and hard intravenous catheters. Soft catheters are those made of rubber or polyvinyl chloride and are commonly used in various therapeutic and surgical procedures. Rigid catheters are made of metal, which allows you to effectivelyuse them for diagnostic purposes. All vascular catheters are divided into central and peripheral, in turn, the latter are divided into arterial and venous. A peripheral intravenous catheter installed on superficial veins allows solving many medical problems, while the risk of patient injury is minimal. With this device, you can enter the necessary drugs directly into the circulatory system, as well as conduct detoxification or blood sampling for laboratory research. An intravenous catheter with a port allows the introduction of additional drug solutions without re-insertion of the needle.
Intravenous manipulations involving a venous catheter:
- administering drug solutions to patients who are unable to take oral medications;
- frequent intravenous therapy for chronic diseases;
- invasive blood pressure test;
- blood transfusion;
- blood sampling for clinical tests, which make it possible to determine liver performance, glucose tolerance, plasma levels of drugs, as well as to examine electrolytes, urea and derive a blood formula;
- quick access to the bloodstream for emergency infusion of drugs at high speed.
Performing catheterization
Intravenous catheters are made from the latesthypoallergenic materials that are designed for single use, which simplifies the work of medical professionals and ensures maximum sterility. The effectiveness of intravenous therapy largely depends on a well-chosen venous access, while taking into account the preferences of the patient himself, as well as determining the best puncture site and the degree of suitability of the selected vessel. It should be noted that intravenous catheters are widely used in various fields of modern medicine: intensive care, anesthesiology, urology, general surgery, gynecology, internal medicine, gastroenterology and numerous diagnostic procedures.
