Infusion IV Supplies

Intravenous catheters, or IVs give you medicine or fluids straight into your bloodstream. There are two kinds of IVs:

1. Peripheral venous catheter
2. Central venous catheter

A peripheral venous catheter is generally used if you need an IV for only a short time. It is connected to a vein in your hand, forearm, or foot. It is the simplest and least expensive kind of IV. It can stay in up to 4 days before it has to replaced; if left there longer, it might irritate your vein or cause other problems.

A central venous catheter is used if you need medicine for a longer time. It goes into your neck, leg, arm, or the top of your chest and is connected to one of the large blood veins that go in and out of your heart.

A related kind of catheter, called a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC), goes in near your elbow and runs up through a vein in your arm.