Blood component therapy in coronavirus disease-2019 patients hospitalized in a tertiary care center in eastern India

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Most patients with coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) do not need blood transfusion, and only a subset of critically ill patients requires transfusion. Here, we describe the pattern of blood usage in COVID-19 patients in our hospital with regard to indications, clinical and laboratory evaluations, and blood and blood component transfusions. Methods: This is a retrospective study that included 34 hospitalized transfused patients admitted with clinical features and diagnosis of COVID-19. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and blood transfusion details were obtained from patient files and blood bank software. Statistical analysis was done using the IBM SPSS statistical package. Results: Among the 419 hospitalized COVID-19 patients, 34 (8.1%) received blood transfusion. Levels of D-dimer, serum ferritin, and interleukin-6 as high as 8545 ng/mL, 8486 ng/mL, and 256 pg/mL, respectively, were observed in few patients. Comorbidity was demonstrated in 91.2% of transfused patients. A total of 6 (17.6%) patients succumbed to disease. Packed red blood cell was the main blood component transfused to COVID-19 patients followed by platelet (PLT) and plasma products. A rise in trend in blood utilization was demonstrated from March to June 2020 with a dip in July 2020. Compared to other months, more patients required PLT concentrates in June 2020. Conclusion: Blood utilization in COVID-19 patients is usually low and does not affect the blood inventory significantly. Most transfused patients have been critically ill, and the trend in blood utilization in COVID-19 patients may be difficult to ascertain.