Central Venous Catheter (Central Line): Types, Procedure, Risks and Care
Updated: 6 days ago
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Baraa Alnahhal, MD · Last reviewed: October 2026 · How we review
Quick Answer: What is a central venous catheter?
A central venous catheter (CVC), or central line, is a long, flexible tube placed into a vein in the chest, neck or arm so its tip sits in a large vein near the heart. It delivers chemotherapy, antibiotics, fluids, nutrition and blood transfusions for weeks to years. The main risks are infection and blood clots. [1]
What the research says
About 3 in every 100 patients develop a serious complication within 3 days. A review of 130 studies of short-term central lines in adults found that 30.2 per 1,000 patients with a line in place for 3 days had at least one serious problem (arterial cannulation, collapsed lung, infection or deep vein thrombosis). Infection occurred at 4.8 per 1,000 catheter-days. (Teja et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2024)
Ultrasound guidance makes placement safer. In the same analysis, using ultrasound was linked to far fewer accidental artery punctures (13.5 vs 68.8 per 1,000 catheters) and fewer collapsed lungs (2.4 vs 9.9 per 1,000 catheters). (Teja et al., JAMA Internal Medicine, 2024)
PICC lines carry a higher clot risk than other central lines. Across 64 studies with 29,503 patients, PICC lines were linked to about 2.5 times the odds of deep vein thrombosis compared with other central lines. Clot rates were highest in critically ill patients (13.9%) and people with cancer (6.7%). (Chopra et al., The Lancet, 2013)
Key takeaways
A central line is a type of IV that ends in a large vein close to your heart.
Unlike a regular IV, which lasts a few days, it can stay in for weeks, months or even years.
The four main types are non-tunneled catheters, PICC lines, tunneled catheters and implanted ports.
Placement usually takes about one hour, and most people go home the same day.
Watch for fever, redness, swelling, pain or drainage at the site — and call your provider right away if you notice any of them.
Never remove a central line yourself.
Why would someone need a central venous catheter?
A central venous catheter is used when someone needs treatment delivered straight into the bloodstream, often repeatedly or over a long period. It sends medicines and other treatments into a large vein in the middle of the chest. [1]
You may need a central line for:
Blood or platelet transfusions
Chemotherapy
Fluids or blood in an emergency, such as shock
Frequent blood draws to monitor a health condition
Dialysis (see our guide to chronic kidney disease)
Long-term antibiotics
Nutrients given through the vein
Central lines are very common. Healthcare providers worldwide insert about 27 million of them each year. [1]
How is a central line different from a regular IV?
A central line is a type of intravenous (IV) line, but it lasts far longer than a standard IV in the hand or arm. A regular (peripheral) IV can only stay in place for a few days. A central line can remain for weeks, months or years. [1]
Feature | Peripheral IV | Central venous catheter |
Where the tip ends | A small vein in the arm or hand | A large vein near the heart |
How long it can stay | A few days | Weeks, months or years |
Long treatments | Needs to be changed again and again | Gives long-term access without constant changes |
Repeated access | Each new IV means a new needle stick | The vein can be reached many times without new sticks |
Certain heart and blood-vessel medicines (e.g., home inotropes) | Cannot be given | Can be given |
What are the types of central venous catheters?
There are four main types of central venous catheters, and each is designed to stay in for a different length of time. [1]
Type | How long it lasts | What you'll see |
Non-tunneled catheter | Up to 3 weeks | A "tail" hanging from the skin, usually the upper chest |
PICC line (peripherally inserted central catheter) | Usually up to 6 months | A tail hanging from the arm near the elbow crease |
Tunneled catheter (often called a Hickman or Broviac line) | Months to years | A tail that exits the skin at a different spot from where it went in |
Implanted port | Years | No tail — just a slight bulge under the skin |
Non-tunneled catheters are for short-term access. One end hangs out of the skin, and the other stays inside a large vein near the heart.
PICC lines are a specific kind of non-tunneled catheter that can stay in longer. They enter through the arm.
Tunneled catheters get their name from the way they run just beneath the skin, like an underground subway, before leaving the body at a separate spot.
Implanted ports are a specific kind of tunneled catheter placed completely inside the body. They are commonly used for chemotherapy.
What does "single, double or triple lumen" mean?
A lumen is a thin channel inside the catheter that connects to the main tube in the vein. A line may have one, two or three lumens. More than one lumen lets your care team give several medicines at the same time. [1]
Where is a central venous catheter inserted?
A central venous catheter is most often inserted through a vein in the arm, lower neck or upper chest. [1]
Insertion site | Vein used | Notes |
Arm | Basilic or brachial vein | Used for PICC lines |
Lower neck | Internal jugular vein | Common access point |
Upper chest | Subclavian vein | Common access point |
Groin | Femoral vein | Used rarely, only when no other site is available, because of a higher infection risk |
How do you prepare for central line placement?
Preparing for central line placement takes very little effort on your part. Your provider will review your health history and medication list to make sure a central line is safe for you. [1]
You may also have:
Blood tests to check how well your blood clots
Imaging tests to find the location of your veins
Fasting instructions — your provider will tell you if you should avoid all food and drink (except water) beforehand
What happens during central venous catheter placement?
Central venous catheter placement is a minor procedure that usually takes about one hour, and you can typically go home the same day. [1] The exact steps depend on the type of line, but they generally follow this order:
You lie comfortably on your back.
You're connected to monitors that track your vital signs.
The skin where the needle goes in is cleaned, and hair may be clipped.
You receive medicine to numb the skin and/or put you to sleep.
Ultrasound (and sometimes a live X-ray called fluoroscopy) shows your veins and guides the procedure.
A needle punctures the skin at one or more points in the chest and/or arm to reach the vein.
The catheter is inserted, and its tip is guided to a large vein called the superior vena cava or inferior vena cava, depending on the insertion site.
The tail is fixed to the skin with special tape (non-tunneled lines), or any cuts are closed with dissolvable stitches (tunneled lines).
You may need to stay in the hospital only if you're there for other reasons.
What are the benefits and risks of a central venous catheter?
The main benefit of a central venous catheter is reliable, long-term access to a vein without repeated needle sticks; the main risks are infection and blood clots. [1]
Benefits
Fewer needle sticks: Your care team can access the vein many times without a new stick each time, which protects the vein from damage.
Less pain: It reduces or removes the pain, discomfort or burning some people feel with a regular IV.
Long-term access: You can receive treatment for a long time without constantly changing your IV.
Access to certain medicines: Some medicines that act on the heart and blood vessels, such as home inotropes, can only be given through a central line.
Risks
Complication | What it means | How common |
Infection | Infection of the skin around the catheter or of the bloodstream (bacteremia, which can lead to sepsis) | One of the main risks |
Deep vein thrombosis | A blood clot in a deep vein; central lines are a known cause of clots in the arm and upper chest veins (learn more about DVT) | A known risk |
Artery damage | A nearby artery is accidentally punctured during placement | Rare, thanks to imaging guidance |
Collapsed lung | Air fills the space between the lung and chest wall (pneumothorax) | Rare |
A clot in a deep vein can sometimes travel to the lungs. Read about the warning signs of a pulmonary embolism.
What happens after central line placement?
After central line placement, your provider will tell you when you can go home and teach you how to look after the line. [1] They will explain:
How to care for your central line, including how to clean the area to lower your infection risk
Any limits on physical activity
How long the catheter will stay in
Your provider will also tell you how often to come back so they can check the line.
How is a central venous catheter removed?
A central venous catheter is removed by a healthcare provider in a procedure that is usually simpler and faster than placement. You should never remove the catheter yourself. [1]
PICC line: The provider gently pulls on the end of the catheter to slide it out of the vein.
Implanted port: The provider makes a small cut in the skin to take the device out.
When should you call your provider about a central line?
You should call your provider immediately if you notice signs of a central line infection or if the line seems to be moving or coming out. [1]
Signs of a line infection:
Fever
Pain or tenderness where the line comes out of the skin, or over an implanted port
Skin that turns red, purple, brown or black, sometimes in streaks
Warm or swollen skin (redness that spreads can be a sign of cellulitis)
Yellow or green drainage
Signs the line has moved:
The catheter looks like it's getting longer, which may mean it's slipping out of the vein
The catheter falls out
You remove it by mistake. Get help right away for new swelling of the arm, neck or face on the line side, and call 911 for chest pain or sudden trouble breathing
Living with a central line
Seeing a catheter hanging from your skin can take some getting used to. If it makes you feel anxious, try swapping the worry for a positive reminder — for example, that this line is how you get the treatment you need. Your care team will guide you through each step of treatment.
Conclusion
A central venous catheter is a lifeline for people who need chemotherapy, long-term antibiotics, nutrition, dialysis or emergency fluids. The type you get — a non-tunneled catheter, PICC line, tunneled catheter or implanted port — sets how long it can stay in and what you'll see on your body. Placement is a minor, roughly one-hour procedure, and most people go home the same day. The two risks to keep in mind are infection and blood clots, so learn the warning signs and contact your provider right away if anything changes.
Have a central line, or caring for someone who does? Save this guide, share it with your family, and keep learning with our related guides on deep vein thrombosis, sepsis and the dialysis fistula. And bring your questions to your next appointment — your care team is your best partner in keeping your line safe.
FAQ
What is a central venous catheter used for?
A central venous catheter is used to give blood or platelet transfusions, chemotherapy, long-term antibiotics, nutrition through the vein, dialysis and emergency fluids. It also allows frequent blood draws without repeated needle sticks.
How long can a central line stay in?
How long a central line can stay in depends on its type: a non-tunneled catheter lasts up to three weeks, a PICC line usually up to six months, a tunneled catheter months to years, and an implanted port can last for years.
What is the difference between a PICC line and a port?
A PICC line enters through the arm and has a tail hanging out near the elbow crease, usually for up to six months. A port sits completely under the skin with no visible tail and can last for years.
Does central line placement hurt?
Central line placement is done with medicine that numbs the skin and/or puts you to sleep. Once it's in, a central line can reduce the pain and burning some people feel from repeated regular IVs.
How long does central line placement take?
Central line placement usually takes about one hour, and most people go home the same day.
Can I remove a central line myself?
No. Only a healthcare provider should remove a central line. If it falls out or you pull it out by accident, call your provider right away.
What are the signs of a central line infection?
Signs of a central line infection include fever, pain or tenderness at the site, red, purple, brown or black skin (sometimes in streaks), warm or swollen skin, and yellow or green drainage.
Why is the groin vein rarely used for a central line?
The femoral vein in the groin is used rarely, only when no other site is available, because it carries a higher risk of infection.
Can I shower with a central line?
Usually yes, but the dressing must be kept dry. Your care team will show you how to cover it, and you should avoid swimming or soaking in a bath.
What are the signs of a blood clot with a central line?
Watch for swelling, pain or redness in the arm, neck or face on the side of the line. Call your provider right away, and call 911 for chest pain or trouble breathing.
Further reading
Related Reading
Non-Tunneled Central Venous Catheter: Uses, Placement and Care explains non-tunneled central venous catheters.
Peripheral IV (PIVC): Uses, Placement and Risks explains peripheral IV lines.
Trendelenburg Position: Uses, Variations, Angles and Risks explains the head-down surgical position, its variations and angles, and its risks.
References
Cleveland Clinic. Central Venous Catheter (Central Line). Cleveland Clinic Health Library. Last updated February 16, 2026. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23927-central-venous-catheter
Teja B, Bosch NA, Diep C, et al. Complication Rates of Central Venous Catheters: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Intern Med. 2024;184(5):474-482. PMID 38436976. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.8232
Chopra V, Anand S, Hickner A, et al. Risk of venous thromboembolism associated with peripherally inserted central catheters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet. 2013;382(9889):311-325. PMID 23697825. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)60592-9
Kolikof J, Peterson K, Williams C, et al. Central Venous Catheter Insertion. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). Last updated February 4, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557798/
Flick AI, Winters R. Vascular Tunneled Central Catheter Access. StatPearls (NCBI Bookshelf). Last updated July 4, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557614/
American Thoracic Society. Central Venous Catheter (Patient Information Series). Thoracic.org. Updated April 2019. https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/central-venous-catheter.pdf
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always follow the instructions of your own healthcare team about your central line, and seek medical help right away if you notice any warning signs.
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