Troubleshooting Complications of Vascular Access Devices
The use of intravascular (IV) drugs and fluids has increased significantly in the past three decades due to their proven effectiveness in treating a wide array of diseases. This treatment modality necessitates long-term use of vascular access devices (VADs); however, maintaining vascular access throughout the course of treatment can be a challenge. Serious complications may develop or treatment delayed if vascular access cannot be maintained. Phlebitis and extravasation are other potential complications when smaller, more fragile blood vessels are used. Treatment often becomes a painful, dreaded ordeal especially for patients with limited or damaged blood vessels.
Vascular Access Devices are used for diagnostic or therapeutic reasons such as, central venous pressure readings, fluids, total parental nutrition, blood sampling, administration of medication, and blood transfusion. The vascular access devices are inserted into veins through central vessels or peripheral vessels.
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Selecting the appropriate device, providing continuous maintenance care, and troubleshooting complications requires specialized knowledge. A wide array of vascular access devices is available, and every device incurs a risk of complication. Although insertion complications can be life threatening, they occur less frequently1-4 .Catheter-related infections and occlusions are the most serious complications, as well as the most frequently reported.5 Therefore, this article will focus on catheter-related infections and occlusions.
Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), tunnel catheters, and implantable ports are the types of long-term VADs used.6-7 They are referred to as long-term because the catheter tip lies in the distal third of the superior vena cava, and the device can be maintained for months to years.3 Despite the unique design of each VAD, all types can be used to administer fluids, medication, blood products, and hyperalimentation or to obtain blood samples. VADs are available in single or double lumen design, with an open or one-way valve catheter distal tip. Newer, technologically advanced devices have systems that allow for power injection of contrast material.7
Central venous/vascular access devices are small, flexible tubes placed in large veins for people who require frequent access to the bloodstream. Venous access devices that can be implanted under the skin were introduced in 1982. They allow medications to be delivered directly into larger veins, are less likely to clot, and can be left in for long periods. The CVAD may contain one or two tubes. When a CVAD contains two tubes, it is called a double or dual lumen catheter and may also be used for injecting contrast for CT or MRI scans (depending on type of CVAD).
The segmentation of the market is done on the basis of the type, application and end user. The type segment is classified into two major type central vascular devices and peripheral vascular access devices. Further, central vascular access devices include peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), tunneled central venous catheter, percutaneous non-tunneled catheter, implanted port. The peripheral vascular access devices segment include short vascular access devices, midline vascular access devices, and subcutaneous infusions. The application segment for the vascular access devices is segmented as fluid & nutrition administration, drug administration, diagnostics & testing, and blood transfusion. The end user segment is classified as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers and clinics. Thus, the technological advancements in vascular access devices by application and end user are driving the vascular access devices market due to rapid usage of the devices for the treatments, therapies and diagnosis.
References:
https://www.theinsightpartners.com/reports/vascular-access-devices-market
https://www.oncologynurseadvisor.com/home/departments/ce-courses/troubleshooting-complications-of-vascular-access-devices/