The Patient Has Run Out of Veins: Central Access in IR
Carousel1 min read·Published Oct 2026

The Patient Has Run Out of Veins: Central Access in IR

Title slide presenting a vascular access challenge case where patient has exhausted all standard venous routes.
Anatomical diagram showing blocked central venous access sites in a patient with vasculopathy.
Slide explaining sharp recanalization of SVC to restore venous access through blocked veins.
Blue slide reminding clinicians to consult interventional radiology before removing vascular access in patients with limited options.
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Carousel · Oct 2026 · 1 min read

In brief

In brief

Educational carousel addressing complex central venous access strategies when conventional peripheral sites are exhausted. Reviews interventional radiology techniques for establishing reliable vascular access in pediatric patients with limited venous options.

Written by the GCMD Library team from the carousel.

Slides

5 pages · click to turn to one

A clinical comparison chart displaying three treatment modalities in vertical columns with icons, percentage metrics, and outcome indicators. Each column uses distinct color coding and includes graphical representations of success rates, complication profiles, and patient ambulation data. Statistical data is presented with bar graphs and numerical percentages.

Central venous access. A social-media carousel made possible by Cincinnati Children's.
The text in the image

Pediatric Achalasia: Surgical Approach Comparison | Heller Myotomy: 78% Success | Esophageal Dilatation: 45% Success | POEM (Per-Oral Endoscopic Myotomy): 99% Success | 742 Cases Reviewed | Complication Rates | Training Requirements | Ambulation Outcomes | Neuroprotection Data | In Vitro Validation | Clinical Cell Line Selection

The text on each slide
  1. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | THE PROBLEM | The patient has run out of veins. | No upper access. No lower access. Every normal route is gone. Now what? | A real IR case. Swipe right.
  2. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | This patient has a name: a "vasculopath." | There's no traditional central access left to fall back on. For them, a malfunctioning line isn't an inconvenience — it's a crisis.
  3. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | THE SOLUTION | Intestinal radiologists can rebuild the road. | It's called sharp recanalization of the Superior Vena Cava (SVC) — and it does what sounds impossible: drives a new path straight through a blocked vein.
  4. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | Two needles, one target. | From above — the interventionalist drives the first needle: | Nathan Fagan, MD | Pediatric Interventional Radiologist, Akron Children's Hospital | From below — a needle comes up the femoral vein to meet it. → balloon angioplasty → stent → line placed.
  5. Made possible by Cincinnati Children's | Remember this | A patient with no access left isn't out of options — they're an IR consult away from one. | Before pulling any line: confirm access, then call IR. | Full video — link in bio.
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