Points to consider in the preparation and transfusion of COVID‐19 convalescent plasma
Jay S. Epstein, Thierry Burnouf
Abstract
This document provides the perspective as of April 2020 of the Working Party on Global Blood Safety of the International Society of Blood Transfusion on use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma as an experimental treatment for COVID-19. The document addresses the following important factors to have in mind when considering this treatment: (A) eligibility criteria of convalescent COVID-19 patients to donate whole blood or plasma; (B) pre-screening and pre-donation testing of convalescent COVID-19 donors; (C) criteria for collection of COVID-19 plasma; (D) post-donation treatment of plasma; and (E) recommendations for plasma transfusion. Intentional collection of convalescent plasma should be performed only by apheresis in order to avoid unnecessary red cell loss in the donor and to optimize the volume of plasma that can be generated for investigational use. In instances of routine whole blood donation by a previously infected person who meets current suitability criteria, COVID-19 convalescent plasma can be prepared by component separation and considered for investigational use if not critically needed for general patient care. Transfusion of whole blood to provide convalescent plasma should be avoided unless use of whole blood is clinically indicated. This document was endorsed by the Organizing Committee of the Working Party on Global Blood Safety of the International Society of Blood Transfusion: W. Martin Smid (chair), Thierry Burnouf, Jay Epstein; Hany Kamel, Cees Smit Sibinga, Daniel Somuah, Susan Stramer and Silvano Wendel. The authors express their appreciation to Diana Teo, Michael Busch and Micha Nuebling for their comments on the draft document. Jay Epstein’s contributions to this article reflect his own views and should not be construed to represent FDA’s views or policies.