Abstract
COVID-19 disease is a contagious disease whose severity of symptomatology is probably due to uncontrollable systemic hyperinflammation called cytokine storm syndrome (CSS). The worst clinical manifestation is respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which is correlated with multiorgan failure and high mortality. Currently there is no effective therapy especially for critically ill patients. Several studies have focused on whether apheresis methods could attenuate the inflammatory response and improve the clinical course; however, the results are controversial. Furthermore, as the pandemic is evolving to less virulent variants with reduced mortality rate, there exists an increasing number of Long COVID patients. Extracorporeal apheresis methods could be a therapeutic option. Randomized clinical trials are required to accurately assess the effects of apheresis methods especially in Long COVID patients.
Keywords
Apheresis, COVID-19, Hyperinflammation, Long COVID