Seraph-100 Hemoperfusion in SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients Early in Critical Illness: A Case Series

There is an urgent need for therapeutic interventions to alter the course of critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (CO­VID-19) patients. We report our experience with the Seraph-100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter (Seraph-100) in 4 patients with COVID-19 early in the course of their critical respiratory illnesses. Patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 and were admitted to intensive care with worsening respiratory failure but did not require dialysis or vasopressors. Patients had to have a PaO₂ to FiO₂ (P/F ratio) <150 to qualify for hemoperfusion therapy. All patients received standard medical therapy including oral vitamins C and D and zinc in addition to intravenous dexamethasone and remdesivir. Patients received a single 5- to 7-h session with Seraph-100 on a conventional dialysis machine (Fresenius 2008T) via a nontunneled central venous dialysis catheter with a goal of processing at least 100 L of blood. Patients received weight-based subcutaneous enoxaparin anticoagulation, as well as systemic intravenous heparin (70 units/kg), just prior to hemofiltration. Treatment with Seraph-100 hemoperfusion was well tolerated, and all patients were able to finish their prescribed therapy. All patients treated with Seraph-100 survived to be discharged from the hospital. Well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine the overall safety and efficacy of the Seraph-100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter in COVID-19 patients.

Treatment for Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 With the Seraph-100 Microbind Affinity Blood Filter

To determine whether Seraph-100 (Exthera Medical Corporation, Martinez, CA) treatment provides clinical benefit for severe coronavirus disease 2019 cases that require mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support.

Data Sources

The first two patients in the United States treated with the novel Seraph-100 device. These cases were reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration prior to granting an emergency use authorization for treatment of coronavirus disease 2019.

Study Selection

Case series.

Data Extraction

Vasopressor dose, mean arterial pressure, temperature, interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and other biomarker levels were documented both before and after Seraph-100 treatments.

Data Synthesis

Vasopressor dose, temperature, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein levels declined after Seraph-100 treatments. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viremia was confirmed in the one patient tested and cleared by the completion of treatments.

Conclusions

Seraph-100 use may improve hemodynamic stability in coronavirus disease 2019 cases requiring mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. These findings warrant future study of a larger cohort with the addition of mortality and total hospital day outcomes.