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01-05-2021 | COVID-19 | Review Article

COVID-19 pandemic and transfusion medicine: the worldwide challenge and its implications

Authors: Layal Al Mahmasani, Mohammad Hassan Hodroj, Antoine Finianos, Ali Taher

Published in: Annals of Hematology | Issue 5/2021

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has imposed worldwide challenge and has significantly affected transfusion medicine. Shortage in blood products along with concerns regarding the safety of blood products have emerged. Measures to overcome these challenges have been implemented in order to decrease the demand on blood products and to encourage blood donations while taking full precautions to minimize risk of COVID-19 transmission mainly at blood banks and medical centers. Several countries have been successful in facing these new challenges. In addition, the role of plasma therapy in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, especially in severe cases, has been proposed and current studies are being conducted to determine its efficacy. Other therapeutic options are currently being explored. So far, the use of convalescent plasma is considered a promising rescue treatment to be looked at.

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Title: COVID-19 pandemic and transfusion medicine: the worldwide challenge and its implications
Authors: Layal Al Mahmasani
Mohammad Hassan Hodroj
Antoine Finianos
Ali Taher
Publication date: 01-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: COVID-19
Coronavirus
Published in: Annals of Hematology / Issue 5/2021
Print ISSN: 0939-5555
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0584
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-021-04441-y

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