CVAD Management, Care and Maintenance (Radiology Nursing) June 2016

1. CVAD Management (External
Central Venous Access Device)
Care & Maintenance
Medication / Infusions Management
Trouble shooting
Health outcome: The effect of treatment & care, by
health professionals, on patients
https://www.cookmedical.com/

2. What is a CVAD?
Two main categories
• External Devices
- Percutaneous or non tunnelled CVADs
Short term inserted into the subclavian, jugular or femoral veins - can remain insitu
for maximum 7 to 10 days ie. Central Venous Catheter, Mid-line,
• Internal Devices
Long term PICCs (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters - up to 6 to 12 months
(can be classified as short term if insitu for less than 30 days
Totally implantable CVAD – Ports - for up to 5 years
Long term CVADs Hickman’s / apheresis Hickman’s/ permacaths, tunnelled CVAD’s
with a Dacron Cuff etc. can remain insitu for years

3. Pressure Injectable vs.
Non pressure injectable
Pressure Injectable lines are central venous access devices.
- Can tolerate 290 psi and not exceed 300 psi
- For pressure injection of contrast media
- Power injectable lines have a power injectable or psi rating

4. Infection Control
Did you know?
Preventing infection is the responsibility of all staff and
can be achieved with the implementation of asepsis
during the insertion, ongoing care and maintenance and
final removal of the device.
http://medind.nic.in/jat/t14/i2/jatt14i2p359.htm http://standinguptopots.org/treatment/iv

5. Catheter related blood stream
infection occurs
• At a rate of 23 per 1000 catheter days
• Has an 11% mortality rate (392 deaths every
year from a preventable adverse event
Casey, A. L., L. A. Mermel, et al. (2008). "The Lancet Infectious Diseases." 8 (12): 763-776.
Bolz et al(2008) Management of CVCs in ICUs in Australia Healthcare Infection 13:48-55
mededucation.org
esicm.org

6. 5 Moments of Hand Hygiene
THHS has adopted the World Health Organisation (WHO) 5 moments
for Hand Hygiene. Healthcare workers should perform hand hygiene
with an Alcohol-Based Hand Rub (ABHR) or an antimicrobial liquid
soap solution: as defined in the THHS Hand Hygiene Procedure.
Gojo.com hha.org.au

7. Risks vs. Benefit of CVAD
• CVAD pose a greater risk to the patient when compared
with Peripheral Intra-venous Cannula (PIVC).
• They are most commonly used in a patient group that
are more susceptible to complications; the critically ill,
the immuno-suppressed, for haemodialysis and for long
term therapy options.
• These devices are vital in keeping the patient alive
www.curamedical.grwww.telefelx.com

8. What are the nursing
requirements?
Medical Imaging staff are required to document their assessment in the patients’ record.
- The type, side location and Insertion date of each CVAD recorded in ieMR
- Ensure site checks every 12 hours
- Observation of redness at/or surrounding the insertion site. Redness or erythema
can indicate the presence of an exit site infection.
- Inflammation or swelling at/or surrounding the insertion site. This may indicate
extravasation, infiltration or infection
- Pain at / or along the path of the vein, this may indicate phlebitis.
-Has the patient had any fevers or rigors? This may indicate infection in the line.
- When accessed does the CVAD bleed and flush easily?
- Has the external length of the catheter increased/decreased?
- Does the patients limb appear swollen or painful
IF YES, STOP AND PROBE FURTHER
ilearnexternal.health.qld.gov.au

9. Accessing and De-accessing
of a CVAD Competency skill
• Only staff who have successfully completed and been deemed competent
using the relevant Skills Checklist are able to provide the relevant care for
CVAD
• This competency must be reassessed annually.
• Final competency assessment of an individual staff member must be
entered into the THHS Staff Education Database by the CNC/ NUM / NE /
MO of their local work environment

10. Assessment & Detection of
CVAD
• The patient
• Check the external catheter
• Dressing
• Bung
• Flushing (Resistance) & Lock requirements
• Infusional Regimes
• X-Ray
• Occlusions
• Air embolisation
• Infiltration & Extravasation
• Tip Migration

11. Check the patient
The insertion site should be visually inspected by the
clinician hourly with continuous infusions and at least
every 12 hours if no infusion, for erythema, drainage
tenderness, swelling, suture integrity and catheter
position. More frequent assessments are necessary
when using high-risk solutions and medications.
CVADs no longer clearly needed should be promptly
removed.
infuserveamerica.comwww.midwest-nursing.com

12. CVAD Dressings
• Dressing type and replacement intervals
• Dressing type Replacement interval
• Transparent, semi-permeable,
• self-adhesive polyurethane Weekly
• Gauze Second daily
• Chlorhexidine-impregnated Weekly
• *All dressings should be replaced routinely as well as when the dressing
becomes damp, loosened, no longer occlusive or adherent, soiled, if there is
evidence of inflammation, or excessive accumulation of fluid. Manufacturer’s
recommendations should be followed
• Measurement of the external catheter should be documented on the CVAD
management plan every shift (morning, evening & night).

13. CVAD bungs
• What to use?
• Negative Pressure
• Neutral Pressure
• Positive Pressure
Positive displacement mechanical valves are designed to reduce retrograde flow into the catheter
more effectively than standard luer connectors.
Pulsatile flushing is used to create turbulence & clean
inside of Catheter.
If using positive displacement devices DO NOT clamp until
syringe is removed from injection bung.

14. CVAD flush and lock
requirements
• Flushing the CVAD maintains patency, prevents the mixing of
incompatible medications or solutions, and reduces the build-up of
intra- and extra-catheter material such as fibrin or blood. CVADs
should be flushed at established intervals if used intermittently. The
flushing of central venous catheters is recommended:
- before and after medication administration
- administration of blood and blood products
- intermittent therapy
- after obtaining blood specimen
- when converting from intermittent therapy
- when the device is not in use
*https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/infection-prevention/intravascular-
device-management/default.asp

15. Flush technique
Flush solution is 0.9% Normal Saline, the volume will need to be
between 10-30mls – this will depend on the catheter, size and
length.
When flushing use a push-pause technique and a minimum of a
10ml syringe, this creates turbulence and assists in freeing the
lumen of debris.

16. Medication/infusion
management
When a CVAD requires accessing for therapy, it is recommended to
- have a continuous, closed circuit
- maintain patency
- reduce manipulation
- reduce infective complications
Infusions must be changed immediately on suspected contamination or when
the integrity of the product or system is compromised.
As per The Townsville Hospital Policy, all clinicians should not disconnect and
reconnect an administration set (e.g. showering, toileting or threading through
patients’ clothing, etc.).

17. Post Care of PICC
• The anatomical placement of the catheter tip must be documented
in the patient record and checked prior to the initiation of any
therapy through the device. Following catheter insertion, a chest X-
ray may be obtained to:
• verify catheter placement
• detect adverse events such as a pneumothorax
• retain as a record of placement (Povoski, 2005).
• Catheters may change position when the patient moves. PICC lines
can move two centimetres away from the head with arm
movement.
www.radiologyassistant.nl radiopaedia.org

18. CVAD tip migration
The causes of CVAD tip migration can include:
- normal anatomical forces/bodily movements that increase intrathoracic pressure i.e. breathing,
coughing, sneezing, vomiting or strenuous upper extremity movements such as golf or weight
lifting.
- forceful flushing.
- Catheters can be damaged at several points along the catheter line both internally and
externally.
- At the catheter hub - Applying a cap before the cleansing solution has dried will effectively ‘glue
on’ the cap which can result in cracking of the hub of the lumen.
- Near the catheter hub or below the bifurcation. Use the correct clamps or smooth blade forceps
to reduce the risk of damage to the catheter.
- Above the catheter bifurcation damage to external catheter sections can be repaired, however
this should be considered as a temporary measure until the catheter can be replaced. Repair
increases the risk of infection, haemorrhage and air embolis. Only some PICCS, not all.
- The catheter internally CVADs have the potential to fracture and if fragments are not detected
and removed there is a risk of mortality, due to injury/perforation of the atria, ventricles, and
myocardium, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, cardiac arrhythmias and pulmonary
embolism.

19. Occlusions
There are two (2) main types of occlusions
1. Persistent withdrawal occlusion is when the catheter will flush but there is an
inability to withdraw blood. This decreases the function of the catheter, but
also reduces the ability to check the patency of the catheter
2. Total occlusion is where the practitioner cannot infuse fluids into the catheter
or withdraw blood.
Another potential complication of CVAD’s is DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis).

20. Non-thrombotic occlusions
• Mechanical obstructions are a common and can be due to external or internal factors.
• External refers to those occlusions that are part of the CVAD that is external to the
body.
• Internal refers to occlusions that are part of the CVAD inside the body.
• Chemical occlusions are the other type of non-thrombotic occlusion
External - kinked
Subclavian vein insertion with catheter
pinched between clavicle and first rib
Internal

21. Thrombotic occlusions
Thrombotic occlusions may occur due to:
- a fibrin sheath or tail forming on the catheter tip acting as a one-
way valve permittant infusion, but not withdrawal of blood.
- a mural thrombus when the fibrin from the catheter surface binds
with fibrin from a vessel wall injury and forms a venous thrombus
- fibrin deposits and/or sludge accumulation within a portal reservoir
- an intra-luminal thrombosis/ blood clot

23. Air embolism
• Air embolism occurs when intrathoracic pressure is less than atmospheric
pressure, allowing air to enter the patient’s venous circulation through the
open end of the catheter.
• Cardiac output, venous return, and coronary artery flow are decreased.
Vascular collapse, arrhythmias, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, neurological
deficits and death may ensue.
Air embolisim in the pulmonary truck

24. Infiltration and Extravasation
• Infiltration is defined as the inadvertent administration of non-vesicant solutions or
medications into tissues surrounding the catheter.
• Extravasation is defined as the inadvertent administration of vesicant solutions or
medications into tissues surrounding the catheter. Extravasation can lead to tissue
necrosis, pain, infection, loss of mobility of the extremity and surgical procedures.
Fatality following extravasation has been reported.
Anthracycline (chemotherapy) Extravasation
Area of skin necrosis after extravasation of
intravenous fluid

25. Review of CVAD Management
Let’s review…
• Pre injection
• Post injection
• Documentation

26. The Quick facts – Pre-injection
• Assessment and identification of the pressure injectable CVAD,
insertion date, site etc.
• Hand Hygiene
• Aseptic Technique
• Dressing pack
• 70% chlorhexidine & 2% alcohol cleansing solution
• 3 swabs, 15 seconds
• Let the cleaning solution dry for 20-30 seconds
• Unlock CVAD
• Access the CVAD site with aseptic, non touch technique
• Aspirate blood via the lumen, then pulsate flush with 0.9% Normal
Saline.
• 3 swabs, 15 seconds
• Let the cleaning solution dry for 20-30 seconds
• Connect with pressure injector
• Assess pressure injection pressures when injecting

27. • Hand Hygiene
• Aseptic Technique
• Dressing pack
• 70% chlorhexidine & 2% alcohol cleansing solution
• 3 swabs, 15 seconds
• Let the cleaning solution dry for 20-30 seconds
• Access the CVAD site with aseptic, non touch technique
• Access the lumen, then pulsate flush with 0.9% Normal
Saline.
• Disconnect syringe
• Clamp CVAD device
• Document in ieMR
The Quick facts – Post injection

28. Documentation
In ieMR we must document:
• That you have used an aseptic technique to access the
CVAD
• whether the CVAD pre-injection aspirated and flushed
without issues with 10ml Normal Saline 0.9%
• whether the CVAD post-injection flushed without issues
with 10ml Normal Saline 0.9%
• Medication infusion administered

29. More information?
Infection control regularly provides
courses on CVAD management
- CVAD skills checklist
- CVAD procedures

30. Interesting case 1
Tama Galiere was only 10 months old when he died on 25 June 2008 at the
Children’s Hospital in Randwick. He was receiving intravenous antibiotic treatment via
a central line for a severe infection of his left eye.
The tip of the PICC migrated into the ventricle.
How can this have happened?
Migration of PICC line into the heart ventricle seems to be quite common.
Migration may occur as a result of stretching and flexing movements of the body but
this will usually account for a migration of no more than 1.5 to 2 cms.
Any migration of the tip beyond that will be limited by the length of line within the body
and, in Tama’s case, will have been influenced by whether any redundant length of
line was inserted into his body at the time of the installation of the line or
subsequently.
http://www.coroners.justice.nsw.gov.au/Documents/galiere%20findings%209%20%20may%2014%20%20final.pdf

31. Interesting case 2
Left-sided PICC (highlighted in yellow) with end tip abutting lateral wall of the SVC
www.nursingcenter.com
Interesting case 2
This PICC tip is against the wall of the SVC. This is a risk for extravastion.

32. Thank you!