Objective: The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in significant mortality and morbidity. Patients with severe COVID-19 infection experience cytokine storm that makes the treatment approach more challenging. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of CytoSorb^® therapy in COVID-19 patients admitted in ICU.

Patients and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective study conducted at Sunshine Hospital, Hyderabad, India from January 2020 to November 2020. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 along with signs of sepsis and with a minimum of one organ dysfunction were enrolled in the study. All the patients were treated with CytoSorb^® therapy. Clinical and laboratory parameters such as procalcitonin (PCT), serum lactate, interleukin-6 (IL-6), mean arterial pressure (MAP), C-Reactive Protein and the patients’ length of stay in intensive care were measured.

Results: A total of 20 patients were enrolled in this study; of these 13 patients (65%) survived. One patient left against medical advice and was thus excluded from the analysis. Post CytoSorb^® therapy, a reduction in the levels of PCT, total leucocyte count (TLC), and platelet count in the survivor group was reported. The dosage of norepinephrine decreased by 46% in the survivor group but decreased by 0.8% in the non-survivor group (p= 0.0424 for survivor vs. non survivors). The average number of days spent by all patients in ICU was 9±5.25.

Conclusions: The use of CytoSorb^® therapy for patients with COVID-19 is a safe and effective treatment option when initiated in a timely manner.