Can a hormone shot help comatose cardiac arrest survivors wake up?
NCT ID NCT00999583
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
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 main goal was to see if more patients reached the best level of brain function by day 60.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
epoetin alpha (a lab-made version of erythropoietin, a hormone that boosts red blood cells and may protect the brain)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a treatment that helps more people wake up with good brain function after a cardiac arrest.
What could go wrong
This trial is already completed, so results are known. The drug may not improve outcomes and could raise the risk of blood clots. The study is also limited to a specific type of cardiac arrest.
Disclaimer
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This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Medical intensive care unit of Cochin-St Vincent de Paul university Hospital
Paris, 75679, France