What Is a Central Venous Line?
A central venous line, also called a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line or central venous catheter, is a small flexible tube that runs from a large vein near the heart, through the arm or chest, to outside the body. The goal of a central venous line is to provide immediate intravenous access to the heart for medical personnel. These small tubes are primarily used to supply the body with fluids and nutrients, but can also be used to deliver antibiotics in a hospital setting. They are commonly found in premature newborns, cancer patients, and patients that require constant supervision due to unpredictable diseases.
