Life With Chronic Illness Made Easier (NAPSA)—Ever heard of a CVAD? Chances are you or someone you know has had experience with one of the more than five million CVADs that doctors put in place each year to help make treatment of chronic illness less stressful for patients. CVAD (central venous access device) is a term that describes several types of catheters; thin, flexible, hollow tubes that are surgically implanted in the chest, and sometimes the arm, of a person who needs short- or long-term medical care. The CVAD allows a health care professional to deliver medication directly into the bloodstream in one simple step. This helps patients avoid multiple needle sticks and damageto their sometimes fragile veins. Most important, having a CVAD allows many patients to receive care at home, instead of waiting for treatmentat a hospitalor clinic. As the population ages, more and more CVADs are being prescribed for people who needlife-saving medications such as chemotherapy for cancer, food supplements for digestive disorders or blood products for kidney disease. These devices are also commonly used in patients whorequire frequent withdrawalof blood for testing. If you or a loved one has a CVAD or your doctor has recommendedone, here are a few things to consider: There are several types of CVADs; work with your doctor to choose one that best suits your lifestyle and condition. Know the facts about good catheter maintenance to ensure that the device continues working well. —- Having a CVAD allows many patients to receive care at home instead of waiting for treatment at a hospital orclinic. Learn how to tell when something is wrong with your CVAD to avoid complications that might interrupt treatment. There are several medical organizations that specialize in delivering medication by way of the veins. One organization in particular, the National Association of Venous Access Networks (NAVAN) and biotech company Genentech, Inc., have developed a patient education guide to help answer questions for patients who have recently received, or are about to get a CVAD. If you would like more information, please talk with your health care professional or log on to www.navannet.org for a copy of the guide.
