title: History of vascular access.
abstract: Milestones in the history of the development of vascular access and the subsequent advances in practical clinical applications of the knowledge, techniques, technology, and experience to the beneficial management of a variety of patients are described. The original achievements are presented and briefly discussed primarily, but not exclusively, in relationship to the successful development of parenteral nutrition (PN). Beginning with the discovery of the circulation of blood, landmark events, resulting from astute observations, experimentation, and ingenious technological advances, are summarized or outlined chronologically over the past 4 centuries, with emphasis on the many recent accomplishments of basic and clinical scientists during the past 6 decades. Brief descriptions of several seminal contributions to safe and effective IV access, management, and therapy acknowledge and recognize the historical highlights that have allowed a complex and potentially hazardous therapeutic modality to evolve into a commonly applied useful adjunct to our current inpatient and outpatient armamentarium. A comprehensive list of references documents the highlights of the development of vascular access for the student of history.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Program in Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital/Yale Affiliate, Yale University School of Medicine, Waterbury, Connecticut 06706, USA. sdudrick@stmh.org
authors.forename: Stanley J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Dudrick
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000266:history; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history* / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D012449:Safety; D016896:Treatment Outcome