Introduction – Different types of venous access

Venous access devices can be categorised as short-term, medium-term and long-term. They may also be classified as central or peripheral. 

  • With central venous access devices, the tip of the catheter lies in the superior vena cava, in the atrium, or the inferior vena cava. 
  • In peripheral venous access devices, the catheter is located in all the other sites than those for central venous access devices.