Chapter 17: Vascular access devices: insertion and management
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Midline catheters
Definition
A midline catheter can be defined as one that is between 7.5 and 20 cm in length (Bodenham et al. [43], Cummings et al. [95], Dougherty [124], RCN [381]). It provides vascular access in a larger peripheral vein without entering the central venous circulation. It is inserted into a vein in the upper arm, above the antecubital fossa, and the tip is extended into the vein for up to 20 cm, but it is not extended past the axilla (Bodenham et al. [43], Hadaway [194], RCN [381]).
