Convalescent Plasma in ICU Patients With COVID-19-induced Respiratory Failure

Convalescent plasma is an antibody-rich product made from blood donated by people who have recovered from the disease caused by the virus. Prior experience with respiratory viruses and limited data that have emerged from China suggest that convalescent plasma has the potential to lessen the severity or shorten the length of illness caused by COVID-19. It is important that we evaluate this potential therapy in the context of clinical trials. As such, this study will assess the feasibility of administering multiple doses of convalescent plasma (from people who have recovered form SARS-CoV-2) to Covid-19 positive patients in the Intensive Care Unit receiving mechanical ventilation. Donor plasma will not be obtained under this protocol, but all plasma used will follow FDA guidelines for Investigational COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma use. This study will be opened across three separate site: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University, and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. 30 patients will be recruited at each site. Each site has received its own FDA IND and IRB approval. As such, the following people are serving as sponsor-investigators at their respective institutions. David Hager, MD PhD, Johns Hopkins University Noah Merin, MD PhD, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Patients may receive single or double plasma units infused on days 0, 3, and 6. This decision may be based on availability of blood plasma. The primary objective of this study is feasibility. Feasibility will be assessed based on the proportion of subjects who consent and receive at least one dose of convalescent plasma. The study will be declared 'feasible' if at least 80% of subjects who consent receive at least one dose. The secondary study endpoint is overall survival at day 60 after first dose of convalescent plasma. Respiratory status and overall clinical status will be reviewed during follow up on days 14, 28, and 60.