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Objective:Immune plasma therapy (IPT) is an established therapy that involves transfer of passive immunity. Given the lack of vaccine and specific therapy for Coronavirus diseases-2019 (COVID-19), IPT has been successfully used in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to investigate the effect of IPT and adjuvant therapies on the morbidity and mortality of patients with COVID-19.Materials and Methods:Data of patients who were treated in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic were retrospectively reviewed. Patient characteristics, dose and duration of adjuvant therapies specific for COVID-19 (IPT, vitamin C, methylprednisolone, n-acetyl cysteine), vital signs, hemodynamic and respiratory function, COVID-19 infection parameters, and outcomes such as morbidities and mortality were recorded.Results:Data of five patients with COVID-19 who underwent IPT were analyzed. Three patients without comorbidities recovered and were sent home. One patient with a history of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus died on day 32 of admission in the ICU. Yet another patient with a history of hypertension was tracheotomized and discharged to a palliative care center with a home ventilator because of chronic respiratory insufficiency.Conclusion:These results suggest that IPT may have positive effects on COVID-19 infection. However, given the limited number of cases treated in several discrete centers, there is a need for meta-analysis or a randomized clinical trial. |
