Based on a preliminary propensity score-matched control study, convalescent plasma is beneficial for non-intubated patients with severe COVID-19. At the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, 39 hospitalized patients (average age, 55 years; 64% male) with severe to life-threatening COVID-19 were transfused with two units of convalescent plasma (SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike antibody titer of >1:320 dilution) and were retrospectively matched 1:4 with control patients with similar clinical characteristics and treatment regimens . On the day of transfusion, 87% of the plasma recipients required supplemental oxygen via non-invasive delivery, and 10% were mechanically ventilated. The median follow-up time was 11 days and 9 days for the plasma recipient group and control group, respectively. Based on covariate-adjusted Cox-survival analysis, improved survival was observed in non-intubated plasma recipients (hazard ratio, 0.19; 95% CI: 0.05-0.72; p=0.015) but convalescent plasma did not appear helpful for the intubated plasma recipients (hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% CI: 0.33-4.67). Furthermore, no serious adverse events were related to plasma transfusion. Large randomized clinical trials are underway and necessary to fully assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma. Data are needed to identify which patients will benefit from convalescent plasma transfusions.
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