Cardiac arrest

This trial tests whether injecting a local anesthetic into a nerve cluster in the neck—called a stellate ganglion block—can help stop dangerous heart rhythms in people who suffer a cardiac arrest outside a hospital. The study includes adults whose heart stops with a shockable rhy…

This trial studies how long to cool the body after a cardiac arrest to protect the brain. It includes adults who are in a coma after being resuscitated from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Participants are cooled to a target temperature and then rewarmed slowly, with different…

This study investigates whether combining two drugs that block brain-damaging overactivity—ketamine and perampanel—can stop super-refractory status epilepticus in people who remain in a coma after cardiac arrest. Researchers will compare outcomes in 84 patients who received this …

This trial tests a special implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) that uses a single lead to sense both heart chambers, aiming to detect atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias early. It includes 56 people who need a single-chamber ICD and are in normal sinus rhythm at th…

This study tested whether starting ECMO (a heart-lung bypass machine) right at the location of a cardiac arrest, rather than waiting until the patient reaches the hospital, could improve survival with good brain function. Researchers enrolled 65 adults with refractory cardiac arr…

This study tested whether adding vasopressin to the standard drug epinephrine helps more people survive a cardiac arrest that happens outside the hospital. Over 2,400 adults were enrolled. The main goal was to see how many patients were alive when they reached the hospital.

This study tested whether using a smartphone app to alert nearby volunteers (called 'heart runners') to bring an automated external defibrillator (AED) to a suspected cardiac arrest can improve survival. Over 2,000 emergency calls were randomly assigned to either activate these v…

This study tested whether permanent pacemakers can be safely implanted using only ultrasound (transthoracic echocardiography) instead of traditional X-ray guidance. Thirty-one adults with arrhythmias who needed a pacemaker took part. The goal was to see if the procedure could be …

This study tested whether using a CO2-based algorithm to guide treatment of high lactate in patients with acute circulatory failure works better than standard care. 180 adults in intensive care were randomly assigned to either usual treatment or treatment guided by CO2 measuremen…

This study tested whether starting a portable heart-lung machine (ECPR) right at the scene of a cardiac arrest could save more lives and protect brain function. It included 221 adults aged 18-50 with witnessed cardiac arrest that didn't respond to standard CPR. The goal was to se…

This study tested a new type of wire (lead) for implantable heart devices that deliver shocks to stop dangerous fast heart rhythms. Researchers checked how safe and effective the lead was in 998 people who needed a defibrillator or heart failure device. The lead was placed in a s…

This phase 3 trial tested whether high doses of epoetin alpha, a drug that boosts red blood cells and may protect the brain, could improve recovery in 500 comatose adults who survived a cardiac arrest. Half received the drug plus standard care, half got standard care alone. The m…

This study tested a new device called NEURESCUE in 6 adults experiencing in-hospital cardiac arrest. The device is a balloon catheter inserted through the leg artery that inflates to redirect blood flow to the heart and brain. The goal was to see if it could be deployed quickly a…

This study tested whether a special type of dialysis (high-permeability hemodialysis) could help people in shock after being revived from cardiac arrest. The idea was to filter out inflammatory substances from the blood to improve blood pressure and reduce the need for strong med…

This trial tests whether an AI software called Vital-PICASO can predict if a hospital patient will have a cardiac arrest within the next 24 hours. The software analyzes routine vital signs like blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing rate from electronic health records. Researc…

This trial tests whether a wearable patch called MEMO Patch V2 can detect heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) more effectively than the standard 24-hour Holter monitor. Adults with symptoms like palpitations or dizziness, or those who have had a stroke of unknown cause, will wea…

This study investigates whether an Apple Watch can accurately detect heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) in children aged 6 to 21 who are already scheduled for standard heart monitoring. Researchers will compare the watch's ECG and heart rate readings to those from conventional c…

This study tested a new non-invasive tool called ECG-Imaging that uses many electrodes on the body to create a 3D map of the heart's electrical activity. The goal was to see if it can more accurately locate the source of heart rhythm problems compared to a standard ECG. 362 parti…

This study looked at whether a 12-week virtual exercise program could help women with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) improve their physical fitness, quality of life, and mental health. Twenty women took part, doing either high-intensity interval training (HIIT) or…

This study tested whether a website called Heartsight could help close family members of cardiac arrest patients feel less uncertain, anxious, and burdened. Fifty-three family members were given access to the website or usual care. The goal was to see if the website was easy to u…

This study tested a mind-body program called 'Recovering Together after Cardiac Arrest' for survivors and their caregivers. 14 pairs (survivor and caregiver) took part to see if the program was feasible and helpful. The goal was to reduce emotional distress and improve well-being…

This study aims to establish national reference levels for radiation exposure during X-ray guided procedures to correct heart rhythm disorders, such as pacemaker insertions and ablations. Researchers will collect radiation dose data from over 4,000 adult patients undergoing these…

This study reviews records from 240 people who experienced cardiac arrest outside a hospital and were treated by an emergency medical service in Switzerland. The goal is to identify which factors, such as initial heart rhythm, response time, and whether CPR was started by a bysta…

This trial investigates whether two simple, non-invasive tests can detect changes in brain oxygen levels in unconscious patients who have survived a cardiac arrest. The tests involve a controlled infusion of a blood-pressure-raising drug and a passive leg raise to increase blood …

This study tests whether wearing a heart monitor for 14 days can detect dangerous heart rhythms in people with mitral valve prolapse (a common heart valve condition) better than the usual 24-hour test. About 60 adults with MVP will wear a patch monitor for two weeks. The goal is …

This study tests a new way of delivering breaths during CPR called chest compression synchronized ventilation (CCSV), which times each breath to occur between chest compressions. Researchers will compare it to standard ventilation in 50 adults who suffer cardiac arrest outside th…

This study compares four different chest compression techniques for infant CPR using a manikin. Emergency medicine residents will perform two minutes of CPR with each technique—two-finger, three-finger, heel-of-one-hand, and two-thumb—in a random order. Researchers measure compre…

This study tests whether a single training session can improve police officers' ability to recognize agonal breathing — an abnormal gasping pattern that can be mistaken for normal breathing during cardiac arrest. Over 3,400 officers in New Taipei City will take a 20-minute CPR re…

This study explores whether a web-based gamification app can improve nursing students' knowledge and skills in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). About 86 students will use the app, which includes practice questions, a timer, and a leaderboard to track scores. Researchers will …

This study followed 601 adults who survived a cardiac arrest outside the hospital. Researchers wanted to learn how many survive long-term and how their quality of life and daily functioning are affected. The goal is to better understand what helps people recover and live well aft…

This study looked at two ways to improve CPR during cardiac arrest: changing how often rescuers switch (every 2 vs. 4 minutes) and using a device called CPRmeter that gives real-time feedback on chest compressions. Researchers measured the quality of compressions in 51 patients. …

This study looked at 130 adults who survived a cardiac arrest outside the hospital and were treated with cooling therapy. Researchers measured two simple tests—a blood protein level and a motor response score—to see if they could predict brain function 6 months later. The goal is…

This study reviewed records of 630 adults who survived a cardiac arrest and were treated in an ICU in Italy over 14 years. Researchers compared outcomes across three time periods when different official treatment guidelines were in use. The goal was to see if newer guidelines led…

This study tested a new tool called a linear cognitive aid to help emergency medical teams treat children during critical situations like cardiac arrest. The tool gives simple, step-by-step instructions based on the child's age and emergency type. Researchers compared teams using…

This study tested if using the lower leg to push on the chest during CPR works as well as the standard hand method. About 99 paramedic and nursing students performed two minutes of chest compressions on a manikin, either with their hands or their dominant foot. The goal was to se…

This study looked at 200 adults having a cardiac arrest outside the hospital to see how long it takes paramedics to get a working IV or IO line. The goal was to find out what causes delays or failures when trying to start an IV first and then switching to an IO if needed. The res…

This study looked at whether a special mapping tool called vMap can help doctors perform heart ablations more efficiently for people with irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias). Researchers tracked 112 patients to see if using vMap reduced procedure time and improved success rates. T…

This study looked back at the medical records of 168 adults who survived a cardiac arrest and were treated in the intensive care unit. Researchers wanted to find early signs that could predict which patients were more likely to die within 30 days or six months. By analyzing lab r…

This study examined how the Impella heart pump changes platelet function in 30 patients with cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. Researchers measured markers of platelet activation and aggregation before and during pump support. The goal was to understand why some patients devel…

This study looked at whether ultrasound measurements of the vena cava and femoral artery can predict which sepsis patients with low blood pressure will benefit from extra fluids. 90 spontaneously breathing adults in intensive care were studied. The goal is to avoid giving too muc…

This study tested whether using a video call (telemedicine) to guide bystanders in CPR is better than standard phone-only instructions. Researchers studied 108 adults with suspected cardiac arrest in Bangkok, Thailand. The goal was to see if video help leads to more people receiv…

This study looked at 346 adults who had a cardiac arrest outside the hospital. Doctors used an ultrasound within the first 12 minutes of CPR to see if a still heart (no movement) meant the heart would not restart. The goal was to help decide on next steps like ECMO or organ donat…

This study examined 297 adults who had a cardiac arrest outside the hospital and were treated by emergency services. Researchers wanted to see if placing a breathing tube before arriving at the hospital helped more people survive for 28 days and have better brain function. They a…

This study looks at how a cardiac arrest affects brain function, including memory, thinking, and emotions. Researchers will follow 48 survivors for one year, using cognitive tests and brain scans (fMRI) to track changes. Their results will be compared to a healthy control group t…

This study looked at whether a low-field MRI (0.23-T) is safe and practical for patients who are on a heart-lung machine after a cardiac arrest. The goal was to see if doctors could use this MRI to find brain injuries early without causing harm. 36 unconscious patients took part,…

This study looked at 1,003 people who had a cardiac arrest outside the hospital and were revived. It compared getting a coronary angiogram (an X-ray of the heart's arteries) within 2 hours versus waiting 3 days. The goal was to see if early imaging improves survival at 30 days. P…

This study looked at whether giving CPR instructions over the phone before help arrives increases the number of bystanders who perform CPR. Researchers tracked 274 adults who had a cardiac arrest outside the hospital. The goal was to see if simple instructions could save more liv…

This study observed how emergency medical teams give breaths to adults suffering cardiac arrest outside the hospital. Using a portable device, researchers measured the volume, frequency, and pressure of ventilations during CPR. The goal was to describe current practices, not to t…

This completed trial compared two ways to start CPR in a simulated child cardiac arrest: starting with chest compressions (AHA method) versus starting with rescue breaths (ERC method). Researchers used a manikin to measure how much air reached the lungs in the first minute. 28 he…

This early-stage study tested whether giving regular insulin as nose drops is safe and tolerable in 24 healthy adults. Researchers aimed to find the highest dose that does not cause dangerously low blood sugar. The study was completed and focused on safety, not on treating any di…

This study looked at whether measuring venous lactate (a waste product in the blood) during CPR can help predict if a person's heart will start beating again after a cardiac arrest outside the hospital. Researchers tested lactate levels in 77 adults when emergency teams arrived. …

This completed registry study followed over 5,000 people with heart rhythm disorders who received Abbott devices during standard procedures. The goal was to collect real-world data on safety and how well the devices work. No new treatments were tested; instead, the study observed…

This completed study looked at how the heart medication amiodarone behaves in children aged 0 to 18 with heart rhythm disorders. Researchers took blood samples from 57 children to measure drug levels and understand how the body processes it. The goal was to find the best dose for…

This study tested a new hands-free device called RescueDoppler that uses ultrasound to monitor blood flow in the carotid artery during cardiac arrest. Researchers attached the device to 285 patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, both in and out of the hospital. The goal was…

This study examined the DNA of over 2,300 adults who experienced sudden cardiac arrest outside the hospital. Researchers looked for specific genetic variations that might increase the risk of sudden death. The goal is to better identify people at high risk so that future preventi…

This study looked back at medical records of 65 adults who had a cardiac arrest that did not respond to usual treatments and were placed on a heart-lung machine (ECLS). The goal was to find factors that might help predict who is more likely to survive. Researchers checked things …

This study looked at whether MRI scans can help doctors predict if a coma patient will recover brain function after a cardiac arrest. Researchers followed 94 comatose patients in the ICU, scanning their brains at different times. The goal was to improve how doctors identify patie…

This study examined how well medical teams perform both technical skills (like chest compressions) and non-technical skills (like communication and leadership) during real cardiac arrest situations. Researchers video-recorded 36 ICU team members and used a validated tool to measu…

This study looked at whether using short, mobile-friendly lessons (micro-learning) can improve critical care nurses' self-confidence, motivation, and stress levels after performing CPR. One hundred nurses with at least one year of ICU experience took part. The goal was to see if …

This study looked at how wearing full firefighter protective gear affects chest compressions during CPR. 38 healthy firefighters performed 12 minutes of CPR in teams, switching every 1 or 2 minutes. The goal was to see which interval leads to better compression depth and quality.

This study looks at how cardiac arrest affects thinking, memory, emotions, and sleep over time. About 200 survivors will take detailed brain tests 7 and 24 months after their cardiac arrest. Their results will be compared to heart attack patients who did not have a cardiac arrest…

This study used a special brain imaging technique called near-infrared spectroscopy to see how the brain responds to pain and sounds while people are under general anesthesia. 44 healthy volunteers aged 12-30 were given either a painkiller (remifentanil) or a placebo. The goal wa…

This study looked at 74 people who received emergency ECMO (a heart-lung machine) after their heart stopped outside a hospital. Researchers measured their quality of life, anxiety, and depression 30 days later. The goal was to understand how well survivors recover physically and …

This study looked at 58 adults who had a cardiac arrest and were cooled to 33°C to protect their brains. Researchers compared two rewarming speeds (slow at 0.25°C per hour vs. fast at 0.50°C per hour) to see how it affected inflammation levels in the blood. The goal was to gather…

This study looked at 212 critically ill adults in one ICU to see if three blood test ratios could predict death. The ratios compare lactate, CRP, and procalcitonin to albumin levels. Researchers will check if these ratios are linked to survival and find cut-off values to help doc…

This study looked at 60 patients who were resuscitated after a cardiac arrest but remained unconscious. Researchers took blood samples at the hospital and on days 1 and 3 to analyze the activity of all genes (the transcriptome). The goal was to see if these gene patterns could pr…

This study looked at 300 critically ill adults in the ICU who were receiving drugs to raise their blood pressure. Researchers measured blood pressure at the upper arm and the wrist to see if there was a difference. They wanted to find out how often this difference happens and if …

This study tested a device that gives paramedics real-time feedback on how well they are breathing for a patient during CPR after a cardiac arrest. Researchers compared breathing quality before and after using the device in over 400 patients. The goal was to see if the device hel…

This pilot study tested whether using two defibrillators early, instead of one, is feasible and safe for people whose hearts stop outside a hospital and don't respond to the first shock. Researchers enrolled 40 adults with a shockable heart rhythm. The goal was to see if emergenc…

This study tested whether video calls with emergency dispatchers help bystanders perform CPR better than phone-only instructions, especially in tough conditions like darkness. 157 healthy volunteers managed a simulated cardiac arrest alone, with some using video and others just a…

This study looked at 116 people who had a cardiac arrest outside the hospital and were treated with a machine called ECMO (which pumps and oxygenates blood). Researchers measured how well the heart was pumping at 28 days and 90 days after the arrest. The goal was to understand if…