title: Understanding percutaneous and subcutaneous central venous access devices.
abstract: Central venous access devices (CVADs) are commonly used in the inpatient and outpatient settings. Physician assistants must understand CVADs' indications, intended uses, functional lifespans, complications, and indications for removal. This article describes common CVADs used for administering medications, nutrition, and chemotherapy, and for hemodialysis and venous access for laboratory sampling.
authors.affiliation: Gina M. Luckianow practices at Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Conn. David Smith and David Bullen practice in the surgical ICU at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. Lewis J. Kaplan is chief of surgery at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center and an associate professor of surgery at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Gina M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Luckianow
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bullen
authors.forename: Lewis J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Kaplan
mesh_terms: D055499:Catheter-Related Infections / Q000209:etiology; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D062905:Central Venous Catheters; D006801:Humans; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000295:instrumentation; D012307:Risk Factors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology; D062666:Vascular Access Devices