The effects of hemoperfusion on the recovery of COVID-19 patients: A pilot trial

Background: As a treatment method, considerable amounts of patients' blood are transferred to absorbents to remove blood cytokines in hemoperfusion.The present research studies the contribution of hemoperfusion to the outcomes observed in patients with COVID-19.Methods: The present quasi-experimental pilot trial recruited 80 patients hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU) suffering from COVID-19 who received hemoperfusion.Hemoperfusion was conducted for the patients in the study group in two 3-hour sessions.The requirement of respiratory support and mortality were estimated.Results: The patients were 56.37±14.97years old on average.92.5% of patients were polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive, while the others showed the radiographic characteristic of COVID-19.In total, 52.5% of the patients died.The most prevalent clinical presentations were fever and cough.The average saturation of oxygen after and before conducting the hemoperfusion was 81.41±10.92and 77.84±13.33,respectively.Most of those who died had an involvement higher than 75%.The reductions observed in the platelet and hemoglobin levels following hemoperfusion were recorded.In addition, urea and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels increased following the hemoperfusion.Conclusions: Hemoperfusion can result in decreased levels of platelet and hemoglobin and increased levels of urea and ALT, indicating the adverse effects of hemoperfusion on the COVID-19 patients receiving this treatment.The most important predictive factor determining the mortality rate of the COVID-19 patients receiving hemoperfusion was intubation.