Picc line, midline, help!!

EllaBella1, BSN · Oct 25, 2017

A midline is a peripheral IV that has a longer internal catheter. Midlines are usually intended for longer use than a typical peripheral IV, but it's important to know that the tip still ends in a peripheral vein, meaning they are not suitable for all meds/uses.

A PICC is a peripherally inserted central catheter, which is a type of central line. It's first inserted through a peripheral vein, usually in the arm, but has a long catheter and extends into a central vein. The tip terminates in the SVC. The key difference with PICCs vs other central venous catheters is the fact that the line originates in a peripheral vein.

An IJ (internal jugular) is a central line that is inserted directly into a central (large) vein (as opposed to the PICC starting in a peripheral vein). The term "IJ" refers to the location of the central line being in the internal jugular. Other places you will see a central venous catheter (CVC) are the subclavian vein, and the femoral vein.

A CVC itself is not used for dialysis. You can however have a hemodialysis catheter(which technically is a central line) placed in any of the same central venous locations (IJ, subclavian, femoral). HD catheters are typically double lumen, and are not usually used for infusion of meds or for anything other than dialysis. There is also something called a trialysis catheter though which is a HD catheter with a third lumen that is a typical central line lumen.

Hope that helps a little.