Catheter

A catheter is a thin, flexible tube that is used in healthcare to deliver or remove fluids from the body, or access certain areas of the body for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. It is a crucial medical tool used across many specialties, including urology, cardiology, anesthesiology, and radiology.

Catheter dissasembled

Types of Catheters

Catheters come in various types, each designed for specific uses:

• Foley catheter: Used to drain urine from the bladder.
• Central venous catheter: Used for administering medication or fluids, obtaining blood tests (specifically the "central venous oxygen saturation"), and measuring central venous pressure.
• Swan-Ganz catheter: Used to measure the heart's ability to pump blood and to monitor the status of patients with complicated heart or lung conditions.
• Intravenous catheter: Used to deliver fluids and medications directly into the bloodstream.
• Nasogastric tube: A type of catheter passed through the nose and down into the stomach to deliver nutrition or medication, or to remove contents from the stomach.

Uses of Catheters

Catheters play a key role in a wide range of medical treatments and procedures:

• Urine collection: Catheters are frequently used to collect urine in patients who are unable to control their bladder function or are immobile.
• Drug delivery: Certain medications are delivered directly into the bloodstream or a body cavity through a catheter, improving the speed and efficacy of the drug.
• Surgery: During surgical procedures, catheters can be used to drain fluids or keep body passages open.
• Dialysis: For patients with kidney failure, a catheter can be used to remove waste products from the blood.

Risks and Complications

While catheter use is generally safe, it is associated with certain risks. The most common complication is catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). Other potential complications include blood clots, air embolisms, allergic reactions to the catheter material, and trauma to urethra or bladder during insertion or removal.

Catheter Care and Maintenance

Proper care and maintenance of catheters are critical to prevent complications, including regular cleaning, correct positioning, and regular assessment for potential issues. Infection control measures are particularly important in long-term catheter use.

See Also

• Urinary catheterization
• Central venous catheterization
• Catheter-associated urinary tract infection
• Medical device

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