Therapeutic Plasma Exchange for Coronavirus Disease-2019 Triggered Cytokine Release Storm; a Retrospective Propensity Matched Control Study

Background:

investigators have seen recently from experience in Western countries with best health care systems that pandemics cannot be managed in hospitals. Investigators have seen ICUs crowded to capacity, healthcare workers being exposed and going to quarantine or dying after exposure to large doses of viral inoculums. Investigators recommend that institutions should register for Clinical trials and consider emergency use of TPE. In Pandemics, time is of essence to avoid mortality by intervening early with available evidence, preferably as part of clinical trial.

Scientific rationale:

Beyond supportive care, there are currently no proven treatment options for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and related pneumonia, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, literature review has shown that most common cause of death in severe SARS-COV-2 is Cytokine release syndrome and Hemophygocytic Lymphohistocytosis (HLH). In this context, Investigators seek to treat patients who are sick enough to warrant hospitalization prior to the onset of overwhelming disease including a systemic inflammatory response, sepsis, and/or Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).