Efficiency and safety of plasma exchange in the treatment of severe covid-19

ABSTRACT

Objective. To study an efficacy and safety of therapeutic plasma exchange in the treatment of COVID-19. Material and methods. Efficacy and safety of plasma exchange in severe COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed. Plasma exchange was performed within 24 hours after admission to ICU. Circulating plasma volume (70-150%) was replaced with donor fresh frozen plasma, CovRec plasma ≤300 ml and balanced crystalloid solutions ≤800 ml. Mean volume of exchange was 3000 ml (min 2000 ml, max 4000 ml). We analyzed mortality and need for mechanical ventilation in patients after plasma exchange in addition to standard therapy (main group) and in the control group (standard therapy alone). Results. Mortality in the main group was 16.67% (n=5), in the control group — 57.41% (n=31) (p=0.001). Conclusion. Plasma exchange is an effective and safe method significantly reducing mortality in patients with severe COVID-19. These data are confirmed by laboratory data. A multiple-center study of efficacy and safety of plasma exchange in the treatment of severe COVID-19 is needed. © S.S. OCHKIN, A.S. SAMOYLOV, YU.D. UDALOV, N.M. KRUGLYAKOV, G.I. BAGZHANOV.