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Treatment

Pediatric Temporary Central Venous Catheters

Temporary Central Venous Catheter diagramA temporary central line is a short-term catheter placed in a vein, either in the neck (the internal jugular vein) or the groin (the femoral vein). Generally, a temporary central line is in place for less than two weeks. 

A temporary central line is placed for dialysis (blood filtration to remove chemicals and waste) or apheresis (separation of blood components, usually to obtain stem cells). These therapies require a special catheter to process the blood efficiently. The end of the catheter (called the hub or clave) is outside the skin and the nurse will use that to access the vein, rather than having to place an IV each time. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a temporary central venous line inserted for children?

Will my child be awake during the temporary central venous line procedure?

How long does the temporary central venous line procedure take?

What risks are associated with this temporary central venous line procedure?

Will my child be in any pain after the temporary central venous line procedure?

May I remove the bandage over the catheter after my child's temporary central venous line procedure?

Are there any activity restrictions after a temporary central venous line procedure in a child?

When can my child bathe after the temporary central venous line catheter is placed?

How is a temporary central venous line removed in children?

When can I take off the bandage from the temporary central venous line catheter removal?

When can my child bathe after the temporary central venous line catheter is removal?

How is a temporary central venous line inserted for children?

Will my child be awake during the temporary central venous line procedure?

How long does the temporary central venous line procedure take?

What risks are associated with this temporary central venous line procedure?

Will my child be in any pain after the temporary central venous line procedure?

May I remove the bandage over the catheter after my child's temporary central venous line procedure?

Are there any activity restrictions after a temporary central venous line procedure in a child?

When can my child bathe after the temporary central venous line catheter is placed?

How is a temporary central venous line removed in children?

When can I take off the bandage from the temporary central venous line catheter removal?

When can my child bathe after the temporary central venous line catheter is removal?

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Interventional Radiology at Children's National Hospital

Our pediatric interventional radiologists perform a full range of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to both diagnose and treat disease in infants, children and adolescents. Discover more about the treatment we offer.

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PATIENT STORY

Christopher's Story

    Departments that Offer Temporary Central Venous Catheters

    Nurse giving girl a stuffed animal in MRI imaging room

    Interventional Radiology

    Children's National interventional radiologists perform a full range of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to both diagnose and treat disease in infants, children, and adolescents.