Efectiveness of Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in Patients Suffering from COVID-19 Requiring Admission in Critical Care Setting

Abstract

Objective: To determine the efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange in patients suffering from COVID-19 requiring admission in the critical care setting.

Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Setting and Duration of Study: Critical Care Unit, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Apr 2020 to Jun 2020.

Methodology: The study was carried out on 160 patients managed at the Critical Care setting of our hospital in three months. Data were extracted from the record regarding the patients who underwent therapeutic plasma exchange and others who were only given supportive management. Overall mortality, duration of hospital stay, duration of Intensive Care Unit stay and duration of oxygen supplementation was compared in both the groups.

Results: A total of 160 patients met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Of these, 100 (62.5%) underwent therapeutic plasma exchange, while 60 (37.5%) did not undergo this procedure. The mean age of participants was 62.19 ± 5.192 years. Out of 15 (15%) patients died who underwent therapeutic plasma exchange, while 51 (85%) patients died who did not undergo plasma exchange (p-value <0.001). Length of hospital and Intensive Care unit stay and duration of oxygen supplementation were significantly less among those who underwent therapeutic plasma exchange than those who did not undergo this procedure (pvalue <0.05).

Conclusion: Therapeutic plasma exchange emerged as an effective procedure for patients of COVID-19 requiring Critical Care admission and organ support due to complications of this infection. Overall mortality and other clinical parameters were also significantly improved among patients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange.