📖 Overview
Central venous access devices provide reliable, safe, and comfortable long-term intravenous access for chemotherapy, prolonged antibiotic therapy, parenteral nutrition, or frequent blood sampling. At Cochin AP-HP, all devices are inserted by interventional radiologists under ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance, ensuring precise placement and minimising complications.
All procedures are performed under local anaesthesia in our day procedure unit. No patient fees — French public hospital.
🔧 Available devices
💉 PICC Line
Peripherally inserted central catheter — inserted via the basilic or cephalic vein at the upper arm. Suitable for 3–12 months. No theatre, no general anaesthesia. Ultrasound-guided insertion at the bedside or in the day unit.
🔴 Port-a-Cath (Implantable Port)
Subcutaneous port chamber connected to a central venous catheter. Ideal for prolonged chemotherapy (years). Accessed via non-coring needle through the skin. Minor day-case procedure under local anaesthesia.
🔵 Tunnelled Central Venous Catheter
Broviac, Hickman, or Groshong type. Tunnelled subcutaneously from chest wall to internal jugular or subclavian vein. Long-term access for haematology or haemodialysis.
📊 Ultrasound + Fluoroscopic guidance
All insertions performed under real-time ultrasound guidance for venous puncture, and fluoroscopy for central tip position confirmation. Tip positioned at cavo-atrial junction (SVC-RA).