A single-arm, retrospective cohort study depicted that convalescent plasma slightly improves respiratory function, minimizes patients' need for oxygen supply, and decreases coagulation and inflammation parameters in people diagnosed with severe COVID-19. Ladan Ghadami et al. undertook this study to assess the efficacy of convalescent plasma to manage severe coronavirus disease.

The study included 89 subjects suffering from severe COVID-19 pneumonia. Collection of demographic data, lab test reports, and convalescent plasma transfusion doses was done. Hospital discharge and death were the major endpoints ascertained while laboratory parameters were the secondary endpoints ascertained. Following convalescent plasma therapy, improvement was noted in a few symptoms, particularly in people under 55 years old.

Following convalescent plasma transfusion, a considerable improvement in respiratory function and  a profound drop in the values of inflammatory biomarkers were noted. Furthermore, the estimated median of partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time in people did not alter following treatment with convalescent plasma. In terms of SARS-CoV-2 mortality, a strong link was noted between mortality and older age.

Regarding treatment outcomes, the convalescent plasma transfusion in the early days of admission was found to be efficacious. Other characteristics, including the number of convalescent plasma transfusions, gender, blood group, and preexisting conditions did not considerably correlate with death.

Hence, convalescent plasma therapy appears to be beneficial for the management of severe COVID-19 patients (age less than 55 years). However, more extensive and robust randomized clinical trials that cover diverse stages of the disease are warranted.