The use of a novel indwelling central venous catheter system is described which combines the safety of peripheral venous catheter placement with a novel electromagnetic locator device for guidance of the catheter tip into the correct position. This locator system obviates the need for radiological screening or chest radiography for checking catheter placement. Fifty-one patients were studied prospectively and all were successfully cannulated. An infection rate of 0.29 per 1000 catheter-days was seen with a mean system life of 220 (range 15-510) days. The new port has a lower infection rate than other commonly used systems and eliminates complications such as pneumothorax and puncture of major arteries.