(P-TS-92) Transfusion Support for Moderate and Severe Cases of COVID-19

Background/Case Studies: The COVID-19 pandemic led to decreased blood donations and reduced available blood supply, requiring evaluation of blood usage in COVID-19 patients and better management of blood product inventory. This study compared RBC, plasma, platelet, and cryoprecipitate transfusion rates for severe and moderate cases of COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital.

Study

Design/Methods: This retrospective, cross-sectional study evaluated RBC, plasma, platelet, and cryoprecipitate transfusions for adult COVID-19 patients from July 2020 to February 2022. IRB approval was obtained. Patient records (350 each for severe and moderate categories) were randomly selected from all non-pediatric patients admitted within the given time frame. Severe illness was defined by ICU admission; moderate illness patients were treated in regular nursing areas. Chi square test of independence and two sample t-test (unequal variance) were used to evaluate statistical differences in demographics and blood component usage between categories.

Results/Findings: Demographics are shown in Table 1. There was no significant difference in age or ethnicity between severe and moderate illness (p >.05), while gender was significantly different (p=.004). The relationship between illness severity and transfusion was significant (p <.001). Of severe patients, 63 received blood transfusions (18.0%). In the moderate illness group, 17 patients (4.9%) were transfused. Packed RBCs were transfused most frequently (mean of 1.93 RBC and 3.46 RBC per transfused patient, respectively for moderate and severe groups). In severe cases, length of stay was significantly related to transfusion ( <.001). Regardless of severity, 100% of transfused patients had pre-existing comorbidities.

Conclusions: This study shows that severe cases of COVID-19 require increased transfusion support, with packed red blood cells most often transfused in COVID-19 patients. These results can aid transfusion services in properly managing inventory and transfusion needs of COVID-19 patients.

Importance of research: Severe cases of COVID-19 require increased transfusion support, and transfusion needs rise as severity of disease worsens. RBCs are the most commonly transfused blood product in COVID-19 patients. The results of this study support the need for proper management of blood product inventory in hospitals that treat severely affected COVID-19 patients. The presence of comorbidities and how they affect the need for blood transfusion in severe patients requires further exploration.