[Concordance among samples taken from a subcutaneous reservoir and a peripheral puncture]

Many patients who undergo phlebo-toxic treatment eventually require central vein access ways and of these accesses, the most common one used among oncology patients due to its advantages is a subcutaneous reservoir. The objective of this study was to verify the concordance among samples obtained from a subcutaneous reservoir using the rejection technique, and those obtained when using a direct puncture technique. This study included 22 patients who were carriers of a subcutaneous reservoir and who visited outpatient services during March and April in 2006. The study authors obtained simultaneous samples from subcutaneous reservoirs and from peripheral veins. These parameters were compared by means of an intra-class correlation coefficient. Only hematology parameters, that is leucocytes, hematocrits, hemoglobin and platelets, showed an adequate concordance.