New options for central venous access in cancer chemotherapy. Multiple lumen catheters

New technology has allowed the creation of single catheters with up to four separate luminal channels for access to the central venous system. Since cancer chemotherapy may be associated with local complications specifically related to the mode of intravenous administration, temporary central venous access with a multiple lumen catheter (MLC) offers distinct theoretical advantages over previously used peripheral venous sites. As part of a prospective study to evaluate the clinical efficacy of MLC, the authors have separately studied the usefulness of these catheters in providing venous access to patients receiving chemotherapy.