Convalescent Plasma Reduces the Risk of Death From COVID-19

Mayo Clinic researchers published a study in the NEJM on January 13, 2021, regarding the use of convalescent plasma and the risk of death from COVID-19 when hospitalized. These researchers concluded by saying, 'Among patients hospitalized with Covid-19 who were not receiving mechanical ventilation, transfusion of plasma with higher anti–SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels were associated with a lower risk of death than transfusion of plasma with lower antibody levels.'

Of the 3,082 patients included in this analysis, death within 30 days after plasma transfusion occurred in (22.3%) in the high-titer group, (27.4%) in the medium-titer group, and (29.6%) in the low-titer patient group.

The association of anti–SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels with the risk of death from COVID-19 was moderated by mechanical ventilation status. And, these data were consistent with a mortality benefit associated with high-titer plasma administered earlier in the course of the disease.

Although patient age was not the primary focus of these analyses, it was estimated to be the most important variable in predicting the risk of death within 30 days after plasma transfusion.

These findings were an important component of the scientific evidence considered by the U.S. FDA in the decision on August 23, 2020, to issue an emergency-use authorization for convalescent plasma in the treatment of hospitalized adults with COVID-19.