Effect of convalescent plasma in the treatment of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by covid-19 infection

Abstract

Introduction/Objective. Convalescent plasma (CP) has been used in the past to treat several infectious diseases. It was hypothesized that CP could have a positive impact on severely ill patients with Covid-19 infection. The aim of the study was to present the results of CP application in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) caused by Covid-19 infection. Methods. An observational study of critically ill patients who received CP according to the National Protocol for the treatment of Covid-19 infection at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina in Novi Sad, Serbia, in 2020. Clinical outcomes were monitored before and after CP administration. Results. A total of 14 patients with severe life-threatening Covid-19 infection were included in the study. The patients age ranged from 53 to 79 years. Most of them had two or more comorbidities, and more than half of them had blood type A Rh positive. Prior to CP administration, all patients received antibiotic therapy for severe pneumonia, corticosteroids, and anticoagulant therapy. Twelve out of 14 patients (85.7%) required endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation of the lungs, while two patients were on non-invasive mechanical ventilation. CP was administered 2 to 13 days after the confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio before CP administration ranged from 49.5 to 78.6. Twelve patients (85.7%) died during the course of the study. Conclusion. The use of CP in cases of severe ARDS caused by Covid-19 infection does not impact survival or lead to other forms of clinical improvement.