Podcast 830: Peripheral IV Flow Rates

<p><strong>Contributor: Travis Barlock, MD</strong></p> <p><strong>Educational Pearls:</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Gauge and length of catheter are determinants of flow rate </span></li> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Smaller gauges produce higher flow rate</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Longer catheters reduce flow rate </span></li> </ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;"> Common IV gauges produce predictable rates of flow: </span></li> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">20 gauge = 60 cc/min</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">18 gauge = 105 cc/min</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">16 gauge = 220 cc/min </span></li> </ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Central lines typically have two 18 gauge and one 16 gauge lumen, both with long catheters, producing the following slower flow rates: </span></li> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">18 gauge = 26 cc /min </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">16 gauge = 55 cc/min</span></li> </ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Sheath Introducers, such as Cordis brand catheters, are wider and shorter than classic central lines.</span></li> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Flow rates are 150 cc/min, or 130 cc/min with pressure bag </span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="2"><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Maximal flow allows for one unit of blood to be delivered over one minute </span></li> </ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style=