Alternative treatment method for novel coronavirus disease 2019: Coupled plasma filtration adsorption

Abstract

Dear editor: Patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 may have mild symptoms such as fever and cough in the early stage of this disease and these symptoms may deteriorate to acute respiratory distress syndrome, multiple-organ failure, and death in the late phase.1 It has been reported that the cytokine levels increase and damage the tissues.2 As some agents used to decrease cytokine levels such as intravenous immunoglobulin and selective cytokine blockade (eg, anakinra or tocilizumab) may cause adverse events (infections, allergic reactions, and changes in blood pressure), there is a need of alternative treatment methods.3 Herein, we present our coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA) (a detoxification system combining a plasma adsorption circuit) with a continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) experiences to treat 2 patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in our tertiary university hospital intensive care unit (ICU).