Blood filtering shows promise for severe COVID-19 patients

NCT ID NCT04751643

Completed Disease control Sponsor: Hospices Civils de Lyon Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether filtering the blood (therapeutic plasma exchange) could help severe COVID-19 patients by removing harmful immune molecules that cause lung damage. Twenty-one adults in intensive care with COVID-19 and lung failure were randomly assigned to receive either blood filtering plus standard care or standard care alone. The main goal was to see if the treatment reduced the need for a breathing tube.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: therapeutic plasma exchange (blood filtering)
What this could lead to: If it works, this could provide a way to quickly calm the immune overreaction in severe COVID-19, potentially reducing the need for breathing machines.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early trial with only 21 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Plasma exchange also carries risks like allergic reactions or infections.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute respiratory distress syndrome adult acute respiratory distress syndrome COVID-19 cytokine release syndrome

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ARDS, HUMAN COVID19 INTENSIVE CARE UNITS

Contacts and locations

Locations

Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud

Pierre-Bénite, 69310, France
Centre Hospitalier William Morey

Chalon-sur-Saône, 71100, France
Clinique de la Sauvegarde

Lyon, 69337, France
Groupement Hospitalier Porte de Valence - Montélimar

Montélimar, 26216, France
Hôpital Croix Rousse

Lyon, 69004, France
Hôpital Edouard Herriot

Lyon, 69003, France
Hôpital Pitié Salpétrière - Assistante Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris

Paris, 75013, France
Medipole Villeurbanne

Villeurbanne, 69100, France

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