Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Severe and Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Convalescent plasma treatment of severe and critically ill Corona Virus Disease 2019(COVID-19) patients is still controversial.Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma in patients with severe COVID-19 infection and critically ill patients, We performed a meta-analysis and systematic review of convalescent plasma therapy in severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients.Methods: We conducted a literature search in electronic data and citations of previously published systematic reviews. We included only randomized controlled studies on convalescent plasma for the treatment of severe and critically ill COVID-19 patients. Results: A total of 7 randomized controlled trials and 1363 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Compared to patients of the control group, there was no difference in clinical improvement (Four studies, RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.17, p = 0.22, moderate certainty) and mortality (seven studies, RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.11, p = 0.48, moderate certainty) for patients of convalescent plasma therapy group.Conclusion: Convalescent plasma does not reduce the improvement of symptoms and the risk of death in severely infected and critically ill COVID-19 patients