Vascular Access
WHAT IS IT?
A vascular access procedure is a way of gaining access to one of the major veins in the body, by means of a combination of ultrasound and X-ray guidance. We commonly perform these kinds of procedures to place Chemotherapy Ports and long term Dialysis Catheters.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
The port, or catheter, is placed by one of our Interventional Radiologists in the X-ray Suite. These procedures are done under local anaesthetic and are minimally invasive, which means they are truly outpatient procedures, requiring no hospital admission. The procedures usually take an hour in total, and that includes the preparation, cleaning and draping of the patient.
Once placed, the ports ,or catheters, can be used immediately.
Our nursing staff will explain how to take care of the small wounds, which will take about 2 weeks to heal completely.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
- Vascular access devices spare the patient the discomfort and stress of repeated needle sticks.
- Placement of a vascular access device is a great solution for those requiring prolonged treatment such as chemotherapy. They will not need to have an IV line placed for each treatment and their arm veins will not become badly scarred.