OBJECTIVES

• Explain the terms associated with guidewires, spring wire guides, and spring wire guide tips
• Provide Tips for Successful Placement with Guidewires

The guidewire is the device used to guide the catheter into place during CVC insertions. The purpose of a guidewire is to gain access to the blood vessels using a minimally invasive technique. It is part of the Seldinger Technique (39) and consists of plastic housing, a straightener-sleeve that facilitates the wire's insertion into the needle hub and a curved J wire at the tip that helps prevent vessel perforation by enabling the wire to "bounce" off vessel walls (16,40).

A stylet is not a guidewire. It is a single straight wire with a hub at one end which is inserted into the catheter prior to placement. The stylet is used to add stiffness to the catheter during insertion. After placement, the stylet is removed from the catheter.