Hickman Line

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A Hickman is referred to as a central line catheter that is placed on the right side of your chest wall. A Hickman line is a  soft, small, long, hollow tube that  is placed into a vein in the chest and ends in a larger vein just above your heart. It is used long-term to access your veins and can be used to provide chemotherapy, intravenous medications, nutrition and to draw blood for labs. 

How is it put in?

A Hickman line can be placed either as an in-patient or out-patient procedure. A sterile field is used to prevent infection and numbing medication is given into your chest through a small needle. The care team uses an ultrasound machine to look at your veins. A small cut is made and then the Hickman Line will be placed into the right side of your chest. The site is covered by the dressing.


Possible Side Effects

There usually are no issues with placing a Hickman line. However, there is the risk of air embolism, phlebitis, blood clot, nerve irritation and injury and irritation to the heart muscles resulting in arrhythmia.


How do I care for my catheter?


  • Hands should be washed by anyone touching or accessing the Hickman line. Prior to touching the Hickman line hands should be washed and gloves put on. After touching the Hickman line, gloves should be removed and hands once again washed.

  • A dressing will be put over the Hickman line insertion area. Never use scissors to cut away a dressing.

  • The Hickman line must be flushed on a regular basis to prevent it from becoming occluded. Flushing entails attaching a syringe filled with normal saline solution and administering the fluid into the Hickman line through the cap. With some Hickman lines, a medication called heparin is also used which prevents clotting.

  • Assess your Hickman line each day to monitor for signs of infection and loosening or contamination of the dressing.

  • Do not pull on the Hickman line. Take care to secure the lumens against your skin to prevent accidentally pulling out your Hickman line.


Dr. Aritra Konar is a Consultant Interventional Cardiologist in Kolkata at Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata. He has been deemed one of the best cardiologists in Kolkata for his expertise lies in Coronary (femoral & radial routes) angiography, Coronary angioplasty (including primary angioplasty), Peripheral angiography and angioplasty, Permanent pacemaker, ICD, CRT implantation, BMV, BPV, Right heart catheterization and so on, in procedural skills. His guidance is trusted and so are his skills.

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