On the Safety of the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Treatment: Thrombotic and Thromboembolic Concerns

Fatma Elrashdy,Vladimir N Uversky,Elrashdy M Redwan

doi:10.3390/covid2010001

Fatma Elrashdy, Vladimir N Uversky + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/covid2010001

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Abstract

Recently, it was reported that near-sourced COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CP) is more efficient than distantly sourced CP. What was left behind in this analysis is the investigation of the possible causes of mortality associated with the CP transfusion itself. Knowing this information is important for determining whether not receiving CP of near source is the main cause of high rate of death in the group of patients who received distantly sourced CP. We argue that the thrombotic and thromboembolic events may act as risk factors for adverse complications and death associated with CP transfusion. Therefore, they have to be considered and carefully accounted for in population studies as they can affect the CP safety profiles and change the interpretation of the cause of death in the studied groups.

Highlights

Kunze et al [1] reported that near-sourced COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CP) is more efficient than distantly sourced CP
This conclusion was based on the observation of lower mortality rates within 30 days of transfusion when the CP donor and treated patient were in close geographic proximity (≤150 miles), in comparison with treatment using distantly sourced CP (>150 miles) [1]
Has a higher efficacy when the donor and treated patient are in close geographic proximity, it was hypothesized that the near-sourced CP plasma is likely to reflect the antigenic composition of local viral strains [1]

Summary

Introduction

This conclusion was based on the observation of lower mortality rates within 30 days of transfusion when the CP donor and treated patient were in close geographic proximity (≤150 miles), in comparison with treatment using distantly sourced CP (>150 miles) [1]. A recent study recruited 20,000 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 who received CP Sajmi et al [3] found that CP therapy does not confer clinical benefits in moderate-to-severe SARS-CoV-2 infected patients with chronic kidney disease on hemodialysis.

Results

Conclusion