title: A comparison of peripheral and centrally collected cyclosporine a blood levels in pediatric patients undergoing stem cell transplant.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure differences in cyclosporine A (CSA) trough concentrations from blood collected as a peripheral sample and from a CSA-uncontaminated (naive) lumen of a double-lumen central line.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective, comparative study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pediatric university teaching hospital in metropolitan Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  71 paired central and peripheral CSA blood samples from a convenience sample of 14 pediatric allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients receiving IV CSA as prophylaxis or treatment for graft-versus-host disease. Ages ranged from 2 months to 14 years, 5 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Comparing blood samples collected from a peripheral site and a CSA-naive lumen of a double-lumen central line. Data were analyzed using a paired student t test and calculation of the 95% confidence interval of the concentration ratio from different sampling sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  Site of blood sampling and CSA trough concentrations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant difference existed between CSA concentration in samples collected from the different sites in children receiving intermittent infusions of CSA (p = 0.13). The 95% confidence interval of the CSA concentration ratio was 0.92 1.04.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When CSA is administered on an intermittent dosing schedule, comparable CSA trough concentrations can be determined from blood collected via the CSA-naive lumen of a double-lumen central line or at a peripheral sampling site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients who require regular CSA trough concentrations no longer will require peripheral blood samples when receiving an intermittent dosing schedule.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders, Sydney Children's Hospital, New South Wales, Australia. asenner@ozemail.com.au
authors.forename: Anne Mary
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Senner
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: McLachlan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous; D002406:Catheterization, Peripheral; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000097:blood*; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D013048:Specimen Handling; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine