Evaluation of the effectiveness of fresh frozen plasma transfusion as adjuvant treatment in acute organophosphate-poisoned patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Abstract

Organophosphorus (OP) poisoning is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent research has explored new approaches to improving treatment options, which present several challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the role of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) as an adjunctive therapy for acute OP intoxication. A prospective single-blinded randomized clinical trial was conducted on patients of both sexes admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Poison Control Center at Ain Shams University Hospital (PCC-ASUH) with acute OP toxicity during the period from the beginning of August 2022 to the end of July 2023. According to the Peradeniya score, Group I consisted of 48 patients (52%) with moderate OP poisoning, and Group II consisted of 44 patients (48%) with severe OP poisoning. Patients in the moderate group were assigned to receive either standard treatment (Group Ia, n = 24) or standard treatment plus FFP (Group Ib, n = 24). In addition, patients in the severe group were assigned to receive either standard treatment (Group IIa, n = 22) or standard treatment plus FFP (Group IIb, n = 22). A total of 46 patients received FFP transfusion. The authors demonstrated that the early use of a total of nine packs of FFP (250mL each) over three consecutive days significantly reduced the total doses of atropine and oximes, the total hospitalization period, and the requirement for mechanical ventilation in patients with OP poisoning, both in the moderate and severe groups.