ABSTRACT

The Broviac Hickman is an indwelling right atrial catheter providing easy access to the patient’s vascular system. A physician’s request for therapeutic apheresis treatments is commonplace in many hospital facilities. Since there are many ways to gain access to the vascular system, it is reasonable to introduce descriptive analysis of the access presently used by briefly summarizing the functions of the skin and circulatory system. Aging, disease process, and the general hydration state of the patient will greatly affect skin texture and elasticity. When utilizing an intermittent-flow apheresis system, upon completion of the empty cycle of each pass, immediately initiate flow from the arterial side to reduce any risks of clotting. Due to the emergency nature of most therapeutic apheresis procedures, arteriovenous fistulas are not widely used; however, they are the procedure of choice for long-term vascular access.