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Central line Placement

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Next Topic: Hospital Admission

Before or during your stem cell transplant, your care team will place a central line—a special type of IV that goes to the main vessels in your chest; that will be used for your treatment. Central lines can be placed before or at the time of admission, depending on your care plan.

What Is A Central Line Used For?

  • Giving medications, fluids, transfusions and your stem cell transplant

  • Drawing blood for lab tests

  • Reducing the need for repeated needle sticks

Types of Central Lines: Your team will choose the type that best fits your treatment needs:

  • Port: placed under the skin, often used long-term

  • CVC (Central Venous Catheter): inserted into a large vein in the chest

  • PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter): placed in the arm

Each type has its own care instructions, risks, and timeline for how long it stays in.

Common Myths

Myth: Central lines are fragile and easy to pull out

Fact: They’re designed to stay in place. With normal movement and proper care, they’re quite sturdy.Myth: Family members are always a match.

Risks & Infection Prevention

Central lines can increase the risk of infection since it is a foreign body

You will need routine care of your central line that initially will be done at the hospital and then can also be done at home

Watch for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or fever

Know when to call your care team for help – ask for all this information before you go home

Next Topic: Hospital Admission

Disclaimer: This Journey Map is for educational purposes only. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every patient’s situation is unique, and care decisions should always be made in consultation with your clinical team.

We extend our appreciation to Sanofi and Alexion for their generous partnership and active participation in our community. Their support helped bring patients, caregivers, clinicians, and industry partners together to co-create this Journey Map and improve the transplant experience.

Our Journey Map was created for Patients and Caregivers by Patients and Caregivers. Please share any corrections or additions!