Can Ice-Cold saline save trauma victims in cardiac arrest?
NCT ID NCT01042015
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a dramatic approach: rapidly cooling trauma patients whose hearts had stopped from severe bleeding. Doctors flushed ice-cold saline into the aorta to induce deep hypothermia, then performed emergency surgery to stop the bleeding before slowly rewarming the patient. The goal was to see if this could help patients survive without major brain damage. Only 20 people were enrolled before the trial was stopped early.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- ice-cold saline flush into the aorta
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could provide a way to temporarily preserve trauma patients in cardiac arrest, buying time for surgeons to control bleeding and potentially improve survival without severe disability.
- What could go wrong
- This was a very small, early-phase trial that was terminated, so results are limited. The procedure is highly invasive and carries risks like organ damage from extreme cooling or complications from cardiopulmonary bypass.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
About 20 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
-
Oct 2016
- Finished
-
Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 65 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Penetrating trauma with clinical suspicion of exsanguinating hemorrhage * At least 1 sign of life at the scene (pulse, respiratory efforts, spontaneous movements, reactive pupils) * Loss of pulse \<5 min prior to Emergency Department (ED) arrival or in ED or operating room * ED thoracotomy performed without immediate return of a palpable pulse in the carotid arteries after clamping the descending thoracic aorta Exclusion Criteria: * No signs of life for \>5 min prior to the decision to initiate EPR * Obvious non-survivable injury * Suggestion of traumatic brain injury, such as significant facial or cranial distortion * Electrical asystole * Rapid external assessment of the injuries suggests massive tissue trauma or blunt trauma involving multiple body regions * Pregnancy * Prisoners
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Cardiac arrest from trauma are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
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
Locations
-
University of Maryland
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States