A portacath is a small chamber that is placed under the skin at the end of a central line. The other end of the line sits in a large vein close to the heart. The chamber of the portacath can be felt under the skin.
When treatment is needed, a needle placed into the chamber and this enables injections or intravenous infusions to be given. The drugs travel from the chamber to the tubing and into the bloodstream. The portacath can remain in place for several months.
The main advantage of a portacath is that it cannot be seen. A tube does not come out of the chest or arm like with Hickman or PICC line.