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Vascular Access Device

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Long-term access to blood vessels for medication, blood samples and more

Expert Heart & Vascular Care

Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our heart or vascular specialists.

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A vascular access device is a type of catheter—a thin, flexible tube—that provides access to blood vessels without the need for repeated needle sticks. There are several reasons why you may need a vascular access device, including long-term IV medication therapy or feeding, frequent need for blood samples and short-term use for patients with kidney failure who need dialysis. These devices can be used to deliver strong medications that otherwise may damage blood vessels.

You and your doctor will discuss which type of device you need and why it’s the best option. The types of vascular access devices include:

  • Central venous catheter (CVC): A long catheter put into a large vessel or tunneled under the skin and then placed in the blood vessel that can be used long-term.
  • Peripheral IV catheter (PIV): A small device used for a short time and placed in small blood vessels.
  • Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC): A long catheter placed in medium-sized blood vessels that can be used long-term.
  • Port: A device similar to a CVC, except the entire device is implanted under the skin.

What to expect from vascular access device implantation

After you and your doctor decide which device you need, the skin of the implantation site is cleaned thoroughly. Your doctor may use X-ray or ultrasound guidance to properly place the device. You’ll receive medication to numb the site, and the doctor will make an incision.

Larger devices require your doctor to use a guide wire to see where to place the device in the blood vessel. A guide wire is a wire the doctor inserts into the blood vessel during the insertion procedure. Once the device is in place, the guide wire is removed. Part of the device will remain outside your skin. You’ll receive instructions on how to keep the device clean, dry and in place. Tell your doctor right away if you notice any swelling, pain or soreness at the device insertion site, as this may be a sign of an infection or injury.

If you’re receiving a port, the doctor will create a small pocket under your skin so doctors and nurses can access your port later.

Tests

Fluoroscopy

A fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses a continuous X-ray beam passed through the body to create real-time, moving images of your internal structures.

Physicians

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21 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Vascular Surgery
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
410-571-8430
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Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Vascular Surgery
(374)
6862 Elm Street Mc Lean, VA 22101
202-444-2255
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Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
1630 Main Street Suite 208 Chester, MD 21619
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Vascular Surgery
(245)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
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Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
(284)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. John Harvey, MD
Dr. John Harvey, MD
Vascular Surgery
(275)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
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Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Vascular Surgery
(185)
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
(410) 554-2950
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Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
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Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Smyth Bldg Ste 303 Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-3431
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Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
(481)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Vascular Surgery
(285)
9101 Franklin Square Drive Floor 2 Baltimore, MD 21237
(443)-777-1900
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Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Vascular Surgery
9101 Franklin Square Drive Floor 2 Baltimore, MD 21237
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Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Vascular Surgery
(326)
301 Steeple Chase Drive Suite 107 Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(240) 434-4072
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Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Vascular Surgery
(179)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-2950
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Dr. Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Dr. Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Vascular Surgery
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest OPERATING ROOM Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-2255
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Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Vascular Surgery
(242)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
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Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
202-416-2000
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Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Vascular Surgery
(200)
301 Steeple Chase Drive Suite 107 Prince Frederick, MD 20678
301-877-7353
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Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Vascular Surgery
18101 Prince Philip Drive Olney, MD 20832
(301) 774-8962
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Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Vascular Surgery
(283)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 444-2255
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Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Vascular Surgery
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-3100
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Locations

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9 locations found
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GOOD SAMARITAN HOSPTIAL Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-4100
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MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 East University Parkway Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-2266
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MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
9000 Franklin Square Drive Baltimore, MD 21237
(443) 777-7900
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MedStar St. Mary's Hospital
25500 Point Lookout Road MedStar St Mary's Hospital Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 475-8981
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MedStar Harbor Hospital
3001 South Hanover Street Baltimore, MD 21225
(410) 350-3200
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MedStar Georgetown University Hospital
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest MedStar Georgetown University Hospital Washington, DC 20007
(202) 342-2400
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MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
18101 Prince Philip Drive MedStar Montgomery Medical Center Olney, MD 20832
(301) 570-7404
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MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center
7503 Surratts Road MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center Clinton, MD 20735
(301) 877-4367
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MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street Northwest Washington, DC 20010
202-877-7464
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