In
medicine, a
central venous catheter (
CVC), also known as a
central line,
central venous line, or
central venous access catheter, is a
catheter placed into a large
vein. Catheters can be placed in veins in the
neck (
internal jugular vein),
chest (
subclavian vein or
axillary vein), groin (
femoral vein), or through veins in the arms (also known as a
PICC line, or peripherally inserted central catheters). It is used to administer medication or fluids that are unable to be taken by mouth or would harm a smaller
peripheral vein, obtain
blood tests (specifically the "central venous oxygen saturation"), and measure
central venous pressure.