Therapeutic plasma exchange for COVID-19-associated hyperviscosity.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Recent data suggests an association between blood hyperviscosity and both propensity for thrombosis and disease severity in patients with COVID-19. This raises the possibility that increased viscosity may contribute to endothelial damage and multiorgan failure in COVID-19, and that therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to decrease viscosity may improve patient outcomes. Here we sought to share our experience using TPE in the first 6 patients treated for COVID-19-associated hyperviscosity.

Study design and methods

Six critically ill COVID-19 patients with plasma viscosity levels ranging from 2.6 to 4.2 centipoise (cP; normal range, 1.4-1.8 cP) underwent daily TPE for 2-3 treatments.

Results

TPE decreased plasma viscosity in all six patients (Pre-TPE median 3.75 

SUBMITTER: Truong AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7753437 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature