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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

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.^[1]

Catheter Care and Maintenance[edit | edit source]

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.