ABSTRACT

Relevant studies have suggested that the administration of convalescent plasma (CP) collected from COVID-19 patients who have recovered from the infection and whose plasma contains antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 is safe and may be effective in treating COVID-19 patients. The present study aimed to investigate whether the number of CP doses administered, the power of the IgG ratio and the time of CP administration following positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR had an impact on the 30-day in-hospital mortality.

This single-center retrospective study was conducted with patients who were hospitalized and met the severe/critical COVID-19 disease criteria and received CP. Demographics, comorbidities, co-medications, onset of symptoms, duration between SARSCoV- 2 PCR testing and hospitalization, the time of the first CP administration, laboratory results, respiratory support needs, O2 saturation, fever at the baseline, APACHE II scores and SOFA scores were recorded.

Of the 224 patients with the mean age of 64.2±14.5 (19-91) years, 143 were male. The most common comorbidities were hypertension and congestive heart failure. Chronic renal failure, mechanical ventilation needs, PO2/FiO2 <300, clinically rapid progression, persistent fever, SOFA score increase and increased vasopressor need were associated with increased mortality. There was a statistically significant difference between the deceased (14.0±8.2) and survivor (8.74±5.28) groups in terms of APACHE II scores (p<0.001). The number of CP units administered, the power of the IgG ratio in the CP units and the timing of CP administration had no effect on the need for respiratory support and mortality rate. CP-associated complications were observed in 11 (0.5%) patients.

In conclusion, CP therapy was not associated with improved survival or other positive clinical outcomes in severe/critical COVID-19 patients.