Randomised Study of Plasma Exchange in Severe COVID-19
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
2021-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The rationale in severe COVID19 infection is to undertake PEX to aid reduction of the
hyperinflammation and reduce the morbidity and mortality to the lungs, but also systemically,
such as the heart, kidneys and brain. A feasibility study of PEX therapy has been undertaken
and confirmed a reduction in the inflammatory markers, no VTE/arterial events and
normalisation of the renal function and cardiac function throughout the period of therapy. As
plasma exchange is an intensive treatment modality, blocks of 5 daily PEX will be undertaken.
Further blocks of PEX treatment can be initiated as dictated by the clinical and laboratory
parameters. Unlike many therapeutic schedules, there is no immunosuppression associated with
PEX; indeed, the resulting decrease in inflammatory markers were shown to be associated with
an increase and sustained lymphocytes count.