ReviewBetween the lines: The 50th anniversary of long-term central venous catheters

•Tunneled central venous catheters have now been available for patients for exactly fifty years.•Many variations have been developed.•This review provides the reader first person accounts of the development of these life saving devices.

BackgroundTunneled central venous catheters (CVC) were developed five decades ago. Since then, several clinician-inventors have created a variety of catheters with different functions. Indeed, many catheters have been named after their inventor. Many have wondered who the inventors were of each catheter, and what specifically inspired their inventions. Many of these compelling stories have yet to be told.Data sourceA literature review of common catheters and personal communication with inventors. Only first person accounts from inventors or those close to the invention were used.ConclusionsCVCs are now essential devices that have saved countless lives. Though the inventors have earned the honor of naming their catheters, it may be reasonable to consider more consistent terminology to describe these catheters to avoid confusion.