When hospitalizing a patient, it is now standard practice to create a vascular access. But what is it all about? What are the most prevalent forms of vascular access, and how do they enhance patient care?

What are vascular accesses? How many types of vascular accesses are there?

A vascular access is a medical-surgical device whose function is to connect the patient’s venous or arterial system and the external environment, thus giving convenient “access to health care personnel for the direct administration of drugs into the circulatory system.

To date, vascular accesses are for all intents and purposes indispensable to the care of patients, hospitalized and non-hospitalized, and they succeed in improving the quality of care as well as everyday life. However, as we will explore shortly, vascular accesses also entail certain risks and potential complications.

Types of vascular accesses

Considering the diverse range of vascular access options stemming from ongoing innovation within the pharmaceutical industry, prioritizing the patient’s well-being extends beyond solely health-related concerns. It becomes paramount to assess which device is most apt for ensuring the patient’s overall welfare, encompassing factors beyond medical necessity.

It is first possible to distinguish vascular accesses into peripheral and central.

Peripheral vascular accesses

Among the most widely used medical devices at present, peripheral vascular accesses involve the placement of a catheter for intravenous drug and fluid infusion.
The specific type of access is defined according to the patient’s particular case, such as vein status and duration of therapy.

Central vascular accesses

Central vascular accesses are special vascular accesses whose catheter is located in the atrio-caval junction or by the femoral route.
These devices are used when it is necessary to administer drugs to the patient that for various reasons cannot be dispensed in other forms or by other routes.

The advantages of vascular accesses

In recent years, advancements in innovation and technological research on medical devices have made significant strides in minimizing risks and complications. Today, the primary benefits of vascular accesses undoubtedly encompass rapid placement or replacement, facilitated by techniques such as echo-guided procedures and intracavitary ECG for peripheral catheters. Moreover, safety is paramount, along with a broad selection of access points on the body, which proves particularly effective in addressing specific patient requirements.

Currently, implantable vascular access devices (PORTs) are accessible for continuous therapies necessitating a steady flow of medication. Primarily advocated for oncology patients to streamline intravenous chemotherapy, these devices aim to enhance the quality of life for individuals undergoing treatment, while upholding stringent standards of safety and reliability.

The risks associated with vascular accesses

Just like any other medical device, vascular accesses can present risks and complications.
One of the risks, for example, is related to the great mobility of peripheral vascular accesses, which can be easily removed accidentally; this risk can lead to epithelial trauma in peripheral veins. Other complications include: pneumothorax, arterial perforation, arrhythmias, mechanical problems, occlusive infections, thrombosis, and extravasation.

Preventing risks: Delta Med and state-of-the-art systems

There are various strategies for mitigating the risks associated with vascular accesses, foremost among them being the enhancement of research and the quality of technology employed. Notably, in pursuit of safer implantation procedures for these devices, the Italian company Delta Med has developed secure and cutting-edge vascular access solutions.

Over the years, Delta Med has consistently aimed to enhance patient comfort and the usability of medical devices by healthcare professionals, thereby minimizing the potential for human error. In line with this objective, the company became part of the Numantec Group, aligning closely with its ethos of innovation, growth, and collaboration. Through the synergistic partnership within the group, efforts are directed toward tangibly assisting patients in achieving or restoring the highest quality of everyday life.