Peripherally inserted central catheter

Peripherally inserted central catheter
Term	Peripherally inserted central catheter
Short definition	peripherally inserted central catheter - (pronounced) (peh-RIH-feh-ruh-lee in-SER-ted SEN-trul KA-theh-ter) device used for blood collection and treatment, including intravenous fluids, medication, or blood transfusions. A thin, flexible tube is inserted into a vein in the upper arm and threaded (threaded) into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava.
Type	Cancer terms
Specialty	Oncology
Language	English
Source	NCI
Comments

peripherally inserted central catheter - (pronounced) (peh-RIH-feh-ruh-lee in-SER-ted SEN-trul KA-theh-ter) device used for blood collection and treatment, including intravenous fluids, medication, or blood transfusions. A thin, flexible tube is inserted into a vein in the upper arm and threaded (threaded) into a large vein above the right side of the heart called the superior vena cava. A needle is inserted into a port outside the body to draw blood or give fluids. A peripherally inserted central catheter can stay in place for weeks or months and helps avoid the need for repeated needle sticks. Also called PICC