In COVID-19 Patients Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Intensive Care Unit Mortality Is Associated with the Blood Transfusion Rate.

: The COVID-19 pandemic markedly increased the number of patients with infection-related acute respiratory distress syndrome who required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and multiple blood transfusions. This study aimed to assess a potential correlation between the daily rate of transfused blood products and the intensive care unit (ICU) outcome of ECMO-supported COVID-19 patients. : Data were retrieved from the electronic databases of three Israeli tertiary care centers.

The use of predictive modelling to determine the likelihood of donor return during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Artificial intelligence (AI) uses sophisticated algorithms to "learn" from large volumes of data. This could be used to optimise recruitment of blood donors through predictive modelling of future blood supply, based on previous donation and transfusion demand. We sought to assess utilisation of predictive modelling and AI blood establishments (BE) and conducted predictive modelling to illustrate its use.

Timing of BNT162b2 vaccine prior to COVID-19 infection, influence disease severity in patients with hematologic malignancies: Results from a cohort study.

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose challenges to the treatment of hemato-oncology patients. Emergence of COVID-19 variants, availability of vaccine boosters and antiviral treatments could impact their outcome. We retrospectively studied patients with hematologic malignancies and confirmed COVID-19 during the Omicron outbreak.

A Randomized Controlled Study Assessing Convalescent Immunoglobulins vs Convalescent Plasma for Hospitalized Patients With Coronavirus 2019.

Background: It is unknown whether convalescent immunoglobulins (cIgGs) are better than convalescent plasma (CP) for patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we assigned high risk COVID-19 patients with ≤10 days of symptoms, to receive cIgGs or CP. The primary endpoint was improvement on day 14 according to the World Health Organization scale.

Antiphospholipid antibodies in convalescent plasma of donors recovered from mild COVID-19 infection.

Background And Objectives: Passive immunization by the infusion of convalescent plasma (CP) obtained from patients who have recently recovered from COVID-19, thus having antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, is a potential strategy to reduce the severity of illness. A high prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA) in patients with COVID-19 has been reported during the pandemic, raising a concern whether the use of CP could increase the risk of thrombosis in transfused patients. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of APLA in COVID-19 CP (CCP) in order to assess the potential prothrombotic influence of transfused CCP to COVID-19 patients.

E-learning/online education in transfusion medicine: A cross-sectional international survey.

Objectives: This survey aims to assess the scope of transfusion e-learning courses in blood establishments and transfusion services internationally.

Background: E-learning/online education is increasingly used in the education of medical professionals. There is limited published data on the use of e-learning for transfusion medicine.

Haematological patients' perception of home transfusions: Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background And Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a growing interest in hospital-at-home programmes, including home transfusion services. We studied whether the pandemic had influenced patients' perception of home transfusions.

Materials And Methods: We conducted a survey among haematology patients who receive transfusions in the hospital day care facility.

Production and Quality Assurance of Human Polyclonal Hyperimmune Immunoglobulins Against SARS-CoV-2.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has highlighted the potential therapeutic value of early passive polyclonal immunotherapy using high-titer convalescent plasma (CCP). Human polyclonal hyperimmune immunoglobulin (HIG) has several advantages over CCP. Unlike CCP, HIG can provide standardized and controlled antibody content.

Predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma therapy.

Several options to treat hospitalized severe COVID-19 patients have been suggested. The study aimed to describe survival in patients treated with convalescent COVID plasma (CCP) and to identify in-hospital mortality predictors. This prospective cohort study examined data from 112 severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized in the Corona Departments in an acute care hospital who received two units of CCP (at least one of them high-titer).

International Society of Blood Transfusion survey of experiences of blood banks and transfusion services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background And Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted blood systems worldwide. Challenges included maintaining blood supplies and initiating the collection and use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Sharing information on the challenges can help improve blood collection and utilization.

BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine is significantly less effective in patients with hematologic malignancies.

Patients with hematologic malignancies have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 infection. Vaccination against COVID-19 is especially important in these patients, but whether they develop an immune response following vaccination is unknown. We studied serologic responses to the BNT162b2 vaccine in this population.

Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: A rare disease associated with BNT162b2 vaccine.

Background: In December 2020 the Israeli Health Ministry began a mass vaccination campaign with the BNT162b2 vaccine. This was an important step in overcoming the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Autoimmune phenomenon have been described after receiving vaccinations.