Catheter Placement in the Femoral Vein

How a catheter is placed in the femoral vein

Illustration copyright 2000 by Nucleus Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. http://www.nucleusinc.com

For angiography, a thin, soft tube (catheter) is placed in a blood vessel in the groin (such as in the femoral vein). First, a doctor numbs the area with a local anesthetic. Then, a needle is placed into the blood vessel. A guide wire is put through the needle into the blood vessel and the needle is removed. The catheter is slid over the guide wire and moved into the blood vessel. The catheter is guided through the blood vessels until the tip is in the area to be studied.

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer John A. McPherson, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Cardiology
Michael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine

Current as ofOctober 5, 2017

Current as of: October 5, 2017

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & John A. McPherson, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Cardiology & Michael P. Pignone, MD, MPH, FACP - Internal Medicine