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A Broviac catheter is a long-term central venous catheter made of radiopaque silicone with a tissue ingrowth cuff, sold by BD (Bard Access Systems) in the Hickman, Leonard and Broviac family. This page covers what the product is, how it is built, the three sizes BD lists, what a tray contains and the limits the manufacturer’s instructions for use state.
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
Who uses it: clinic and infusion-service staff, supply and procurement teams, and students who need a clear product reference. Decisions about any individual patient belong to that patient’s clinical team.
What a Broviac catheter is
A Broviac catheter is a central venous catheter intended for long-term vascular access. BD’s brochure for the family (BD-19819, 2021) describes Hickman, Leonard and Broviac catheters as designed for long-term vascular access, available in single, dual and triple lumen versions. In the FDA’s classification used in the NLM AccessGUDID record, a Broviac kit carries product code LJS, “Catheter, intravascular, therapeutic, long-term greater than 30 days,” and the GMDN term “Centrally-inserted central venous catheter” (term 10729). For the wider category, see what a central venous catheter is.
How it is built: materials, parts and tray contents
BD describes the catheter as radiopaque silicone with a SureCuff tissue ingrowth cuff and a clamp. The 4.2 F product page lists a soft silicone atraumatic tip. The lumen size and French size are printed on the catheter for quick identification, and the connectors are color-coded luer connectors with plastic clamps and protective sleeves.
The trays BD lists for the family contain the following components:
- Radiopaque silicone catheter with SureCuff cuff and clamp
- Peel-apart introducer (sheath with vessel dilator) in the introducer trays
- Needle, tunneler, end cap and syringe
- Identification (I.D.) card
BD also offers cutdown trays, and a repair kit is listed with the 6.6 F catheter (item 0601620). The device record in AccessGUDID describes a Broviac kit as sterile, single-use and prescription-only.
Types and variants
| Variant | What differs | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cutdown tray (e.g. 2.7 F item 0600040, 4.2 F item 0600060) | Supplied as a cutdown procedure tray | BD product pages |
| Peel-apart introducer set (e.g. 6.6 F item 0600540) | Supplied with a peel-apart introducer | BD product page |
| Single, dual or triple lumen | Lumen count; BD states the Hickman, Leonard and Broviac family is offered in all three | BD brochure BD-19819 |
For how the Hickman design compares with other tunneled catheters, see Groshong catheter vs Hickman. For a different long-term access device, see what an implanted port is.
Broviac catheter sizes
BD’s product pages for single lumen Broviac catheters list these specifications. These are the three sizes BD lists; “volume” is BD’s wording.
| BD item | French size | Lumen | Length | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0600040 (cutdown tray) | 2.7 F | 0.95 mm | 71 cm | 0.15 ml |
| 0600060 (cutdown tray) | 4.2 F | 1.45 mm | 71 cm | 0.3 ml |
| 0600540 (peel-apart introducer) | 6.6 F | 2.2 mm | 90 cm | 0.7 ml |
A separate AccessGUDID record lists a 2.7 F single-lumen Broviac kit (item 0600044) with a 52 cm tip-to-cuff length, a reminder that a size can be offered in more than one configuration. Check the item number on the label rather than the French size alone.
How to choose: what the labeling states
The manufacturer’s brochure gives a few identification points, and the product labeling and instructions for use that ship with the item govern.
- Item number. Sizes, lumen count and tray type are set per item, so match the item number on the label, not only the family name.
- Lumen count. Single, dual and triple lumen versions exist in the family.
- Tray type. Cutdown trays and peel-apart introducer sets are listed as separate items.
Selection for any person is a clinical decision made by their care team.
Handling and labeling basics
These points come from BD’s brochure BD-19819 (2021) and the AccessGUDID record. Regional availability and codes may differ, and the current instructions for use that ship with the product govern.
- Single patient use. The product is labeled single use: do not reuse or resterilize.
- Sterile, prescription only. BD describes the product as ethylene oxide sterilized and non-pyrogenic, and it is sold by prescription only.
- No sharp instruments. BD says not to use scissors or sharp instruments on the catheter.
- Luer lock connections are specified for the catheter hubs.
Infection prevention around central lines is covered by facility programs; see the CLABSI prevention bundle.
Common mistakes
- Treating the family as one product: sizes are set per item, so match the item number on the label, not the family name.
- Assuming the same French size always means the same configuration: a 2.7 F catheter appears under more than one item number (0600040 and 0600044), with lengths stated differently.
- Reusing or resterilizing a single-patient-use catheter or kit components.
- Relying on an old brochure: the sizes, codes and wording above reflect BD documents checked on 2026-10-30, and current labeling controls.
Frequently asked questions
What size is a Broviac catheter?
BD lists single lumen Broviac catheters at 2.7 F (0.95 mm lumen, 71 cm), 4.2 F (1.45 mm lumen, 71 cm) and 6.6 F (2.2 mm lumen, 90 cm). See the sizes table above.
What is a Broviac catheter?
A long-term central venous catheter made of radiopaque silicone with a tissue ingrowth cuff, from BD’s Hickman, Leonard and Broviac family. FDA product code LJS covers long-term (more than 30 days) intravascular catheters.
What is a Broviac catheter made of?
Radiopaque silicone, with a SureCuff tissue ingrowth cuff, per BD’s brochure and product pages.
Is a Broviac catheter reusable?
No. BD’s warnings state single patient use, with no reuse or resterilization.
What is in a Broviac tray?
BD lists the catheter with cuff and clamp, a peel-apart introducer in introducer trays, needle, tunneler, end cap, syringe and an I.D. card.
How is it different from a Hickman catheter?
Both belong to the same BD product family and share the long-term access indication. The brochure covers them together; for a comparison with another tunneled design, read Groshong vs Hickman.
Sources
All sources checked 2026-10-30.
- BD, “Hickman, Leonard, Broviac central venous catheters,” brochure BD-19819, 2021: https://bd.com/content/dam/bd-assets/na/peripheral-intervention/web-assets/us/documents/BDPI_Hickman-Leonard-Broviac_BD-19819_BRO_EN.pdf
- BD product page, item 0600040: https://bd.com/en-us/products-and-solutions/products/product-page.0600040
- BD product page, item 0600060: https://bd.com/en-us/products-and-solutions/products/product-page.0600060
- BD product page, item 0600540: https://bd.com/en-us/products-and-solutions/products/product-page.0600540
- NLM AccessGUDID, Bard Access Systems Broviac 0600044 record, version 6, 28 August 2024: https://accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00801741036316
Related supplies are listed under IV catheters.
