FLOW DYNAMICS
(continued)

     

Many of the most effective medications available today are considered irritants. Injecting them into a small peripheral vein with little hemodilution can damage the vein, eventually rendering it useless. Central venous access devices, which have a tip terminating in one of the greater vessels, allow for hemodilution or the mixing of these medications with a large volume of blood before being dispersed throughout the body. This provides a safer, more effective mode for administering irritating or hyperosmolar medications to the patient without causing vascular damage in the process.

The goal is to administer the medications necessary to heal the patient in the most efficient way while causing the least amount of damage possible to the vasculature.