Study: Mayo Clinic finds COVID-19 convalescent plasma safe

Editor's Note

This study from Mayo Clinic researchers finds that investigational COVID-19 convalescent plasma is safe following transfusion in 20,000 hospitalized patients.

From April 3 to June 11, 2020, the 7-day mortality declined from 12% in the first 5,000 transfused patients to 8.6% in 15,000 subsequent patients. Mortality was higher in critically ill patients including those admitted to the ICU vs not admitted (10.5% vs 6.0%), mechanically ventilated vs not ventilated (12.1% vs 6.2%), and with septic shock or multiple organ dysfunction /failure vs those without failure (14.0% vs 7.6%).

Serious adverse events related to transfusion of the plasma continues to be at less than 1%, including transfusion reactions, thromboembolic or thrombotic events, and cardiac events.

The data provide early safety indicators of convalescent plasma for COVID-19 treatment and suggest research should shift from safety to efficacy, the researchers say.