Ongoing Clinical Trials for Cardiac Arrest
Currently, there are 17 clinical trials investigating new treatments and approaches for cardiac arrest across multiple European countries. These studies focus on various medications and treatment strategies aimed at improving survival rates and neurological recovery in patients who have experienced sudden heart stoppage, both in and out of hospital settings.
Clinical trial locations
- Austria
- Belgium
- Denmark
- Study on Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Chloride for Patients with In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
- Study on the Effects of Dexamethasone and Olanzapine in Patients Resuscitated from Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
- Study on the Effects of Esketamine Hydrochloride and Propofol for Patients After Cardiac Arrest
- A study comparing epinephrine and isoprenaline in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who have non-shockable heart rhythm
- Study of Isoprenaline and Epinephrine Treatment for Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with Non-Shockable Rhythm
- Study on Epinephrine and Amiodarone for Patients with Cardiac Arrest Outside the Hospital
- France
- Study on Amiodarone for Critically Ill Patients After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with Shockable Rhythm
- Study on the Effectiveness of High-Dose Vitamin C for Patients with Shock After Cardiac Arrest
- Study comparing low-dose versus standard-dose epinephrine for better brain recovery in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
- Study of Hydrocortisone and Vasopressin (Argipressin) Treatment in Adult Patients with Post-Cardiac Arrest Syndrome and Hemodynamic Failure
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Sweden
- Study on Levosimendan for Improving Survival in Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest During CPR
- Study on the Effect of Adrenaline, Vasopressin, and Steroids on Survival in Cardiac Arrest Patients
- Study on the Effects of Epinephrine, Vasopressin, and Methylprednisolone in Cardiac Arrest Patients
Study of anti-seizure drug combination in comatose patients with status epilepticus after cardiac arrest
This study focuses on treating seizures that occur in unconscious patients after they have been resuscitated from cardiac arrest. The trial is being conducted in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be at least 18 years old and in a comatose state following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. You need to have continuous brain wave monitoring started within 24 hours after your heart resumed beating, and you must show signs of status epilepticus on the brain monitoring. Treatment must be able to begin within 3 hours of detecting seizure activity.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you are under 18, have a terminal illness, have pre-existing severe brain damage, have had previous cardiac arrests, have known allergies to the study medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are already taking anti-seizure medications, have severe liver or kidney problems, or have had brain surgery in the past 30 days.
Study focus: The trial aims to determine if treating seizures with medications improves recovery in unconscious patients who have survived cardiac arrest. Researchers will compare patients who receive seizure treatment with those who do not. The main focus is on how well patients recover their ability to function in daily life six months after their cardiac arrest.
Investigational drugs: The study uses several anti-seizure medications administered through a vein, including diazepam, midazolam, lorazepam, propofol, esketamine, lacosamide, levetiracetam, and sodium valproate. These medications are given in a step-by-step approach to stop seizure activity detected by brain wave monitoring.
Study on Amiodarone for Critically Ill Patients After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with Shockable Rhythm
This French trial examines whether the medication amiodarone can improve outcomes for patients who have survived cardiac arrest outside of a hospital. The study focuses on patients whose initial heart rhythm could be treated with an electrical shock.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be 18 years or older and have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with an initial shockable rhythm. You need to have been admitted to an intensive care unit, with the cardiac arrest presumed to be heart-related or of unknown cause. The time between your heart restarting and screening for the study must be less than 6 hours.
Main exclusion criteria: The trial excludes patients who have not experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with an initial shockable rhythm, those who are not critically ill, and those whose cardiac arrest does not have a confirmed or presumed cardiac cause.
Study focus: The trial aims to determine if giving amiodarone to critically ill patients for 72 hours can reduce the chances of death or severe heart rhythm problems within 30 days. Researchers will monitor for severe heart rhythm issues such as ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.
Investigational drugs: Amiodarone is a medication used to help manage heart rhythm problems. It is given through an intravenous injection and works by helping to stabilize the heart’s electrical activity, preventing dangerous heart rhythms from occurring.
Study on Sodium Bicarbonate and Sodium Chloride for Patients with In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
This Danish study investigates whether sodium bicarbonate can help improve outcomes for patients whose hearts stop beating while they are in the hospital.
Main inclusion criteria: You must have experienced a cardiac arrest while in the hospital, be 18 years old or older, and have received at least one dose of adrenaline during cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you have not experienced an in-hospital cardiac arrest, are not within the specified age range, or are considered part of a vulnerable population.
Study focus: The study aims to see if sodium bicarbonate can increase the likelihood of the heart resuming its normal function after cardiac arrest. Researchers will also look at survival rates 30 days after the event and whether patients have a favorable neurological outcome.
Investigational drugs: Sodium bicarbonate is a chemical compound used in medical emergencies to help balance the body’s pH levels. The study will compare its effectiveness against a placebo in helping the heart start beating again on its own.
Study on the Effect of Landiolol Hydrochloride and Sodium Chloride in Patients Experiencing Cardiac Arrest
This Austrian trial studies whether landiolol hydrochloride, a type of beta-blocker medication, can help patients experiencing cardiac arrest with ventricular fibrillation.
Main inclusion criteria: You must have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, be 18 years of age or older, and have had 3 or more shockable heart rhythms, with the last rhythm being shockable.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you have experienced a cardiac arrest or ventricular fibrillation that makes you ineligible according to the study criteria.
Study focus: The trial aims to find out if landiolol hydrochloride can decrease the time it takes for the heart to achieve sustained return of spontaneous circulation. The study will monitor how quickly the heart starts beating again and will also assess survival after 24 hours and neurological condition.
Investigational drugs: Landiolol is a beta-blocker medication administered intravenously. Beta-blockers help to slow down the heart rate and reduce the heart’s workload, potentially improving the chances of recovery after cardiac arrest.
Study on the Effectiveness of High-Dose Vitamin C for Patients with Shock After Cardiac Arrest
This French trial examines whether high-dose vitamin C can help patients who have experienced cardiac arrest and are in shock afterward.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be unconscious with a Glasgow coma scale score less than 8, have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with return of spontaneous circulation in less than 60 minutes, and be receiving continuous infusion of norepinephrine or epinephrine to maintain blood pressure.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you are under 18 or over 65 years old, pregnant or breastfeeding, have a known allergy to vitamin C, are currently in another clinical trial, have severe kidney problems, or have a history of certain types of cancer.
Study focus: The trial aims to see if vitamin C can help reduce the need for medications that increase blood pressure within the first three days after cardiac arrest. Researchers will also monitor survival rates and neurological health over a period of up to 28 days.
Investigational drugs: High-dose vitamin C is given intravenously. The study will compare its effects with standard treatments, which may include medications like dobutamine, epinephrine, noradrenaline, and thiamine hydrochloride.
Study on the Effects of Dexamethasone and Olanzapine in Patients Resuscitated from Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
This Danish study explores different treatments and approaches to improve recovery and survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, including the use of dexamethasone and olanzapine.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be at least 18 years old, have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest believed to be heart-related, have achieved sustained return of spontaneous circulation for at least 20 minutes, and be unconscious after achieving sustained circulation at the time of study selection.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you have not been resuscitated from an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, are not within the specified age range, or are not considered part of the eligible population.
Study focus: The trial aims to determine how different treatments affect survival and recovery. This includes testing the glucocorticoid dexamethasone, the antipsychotic drug olanzapine, different physical positions, and the timing of waking up and removing breathing support.
Investigational drugs: Dexamethasone is a glucocorticoid medication used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune system. Olanzapine is an antipsychotic medication typically used to treat mental health conditions. Both are being tested to see if they can improve outcomes for patients who have had cardiac arrest.
Study on the Effects of Esketamine Hydrochloride and Propofol for Patients After Cardiac Arrest
This Danish trial studies whether esketamine can protect the brain better than propofol when used as sedation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be 18 years or older, have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest believed to be heart-related with a primary shockable rhythm, and require prehospital intubation after resuscitation. The study medicine injection must be possible before hospital arrival, and you must have achieved return of spontaneous circulation with a mean arterial pressure of 40 mmHg or higher.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you have not experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, are not within the specified age range, or belong to a group not included in the study.
Study focus: The trial aims to determine if esketamine can protect the brain better than propofol when used as part of sedation after the heart has been restarted. The study will monitor specific markers in the blood that indicate brain injury.
Investigational drugs: Esketamine and propofol are both used for sedation during intubation. Esketamine works by blocking certain receptors in the brain, which may help reduce brain damage, while propofol enhances the activity of calming receptors in the brain.
Study on the Effects of Sodium Lactate and Electrolyte Solution in Comatose Patients After Cardiac Arrest
This Belgian trial evaluates whether hypertonic sodium lactate infusion can reduce brain injury in patients who are comatose after cardiac arrest.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be older than 18 years, have had sustained return of spontaneous circulation for at least 20 minutes, be in a comatose state with a Glasgow Coma Scale score less than 9, and have had a time to return of spontaneous circulation greater than 15 minutes.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you have a different type of brain injury not related to lack of oxygen, are not in a coma, have not experienced cardiac arrest, are not within the specified age range, or are not part of the specific group being studied.
Study focus: The trial aims to determine if giving hypertonic sodium lactate can improve recovery by protecting the brain from further damage after the heart has stopped and been restarted. Researchers will measure specific proteins in the blood to assess brain injury.
Investigational drugs: Hypertonic sodium lactate is a solution administered through infusion that may help improve recovery by providing energy to the brain and potentially reducing brain damage.
A study comparing epinephrine and isoprenaline in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest who have non-shockable heart rhythm
This Danish trial compares whether isoprenaline is more effective than epinephrine at achieving sustained heartbeat restoration in patients with non-shockable heart rhythms.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be 18 years or older, have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest that was witnessed, have a non-shockable heart rhythm when first examined, and be receiving or about to receive advanced life support treatment from emergency medical personnel.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you are under 18, have a shockable heart rhythm, have a known allergy to isoprenaline or epinephrine, are pregnant, have already received these medications during the current event, have a traumatic cause of cardiac arrest, have a Do Not Resuscitate order, or have already achieved return of spontaneous circulation.
Study focus: The trial aims to find out if isoprenaline can increase the likelihood of the heart resuming normal function compared to epinephrine in patients with non-shockable rhythms.
Investigational drugs: Epinephrine helps the heart beat stronger and faster by constricting blood vessels and increasing heart rate. Isoprenaline stimulates the heart in a slightly different way, primarily affecting heart rhythm and strength without causing as much blood vessel constriction.
Study comparing low-dose versus standard-dose epinephrine for better brain recovery in patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
This French trial compares whether a lower dose of epinephrine works better than the standard dose in helping patients survive with good brain function after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be at least 18 years old, have experienced a cardiac arrest outside of a hospital due to medical causes, be receiving resuscitation efforts from emergency medical services, and have active social security coverage.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you are under 18, pregnant, have a Do Not Resuscitate order, have traumatic or hypothermic cardiac arrest, have already received epinephrine before the medical team arrived, did not have witnessed cardiac arrest, did not receive immediate CPR, have terminal illness, are participating in other trials, or cannot be followed up for 28 days.
Study focus: The trial tests whether a lower dose of 0.5 mg epinephrine works better than the standard dose of 1 mg in helping patients survive with good brain function. Researchers will monitor recovery over 28 days after cardiac arrest.
Investigational drugs: Epinephrine is a medication commonly used during cardiac emergencies to help restart the heart by increasing blood pressure and heart contraction strength.
Study of Isoprenaline and Epinephrine Treatment for Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest with Non-Shockable Rhythm
This Danish trial examines whether combining isoprenaline and epinephrine works better than using epinephrine alone for treating people whose hearts have stopped beating in a pattern that cannot be treated with electric shock.
Main inclusion criteria: You must be at least 18 years old, have experienced a witnessed cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, have a non-shockable heart rhythm, and be receiving advanced life support treatment from emergency medical personnel.
Main exclusion criteria: You cannot participate if you are under 18 or over 75 years old, are pregnant, have known allergy to the study medications, have traumatic cardiac arrest, have a Do Not Resuscitate order, have cardiac arrest witnessed by emergency services, have already received epinephrine, have terminal illness, participated in another trial within 30 days, or have cardiac arrest due to drowning, drug overdose, or electrocution.
Study focus: The trial aims to determine if combining these medications can improve the chances of restarting the heart and maintaining its rhythm compared to epinephrine alone.
Investigational drugs: Isoprenaline helps increase heart rate and makes the heart beat stronger. Epinephrine works by constricting blood vessels and stimulating the heart to help restore normal heart rhythm and blood circulation.
Summary
The 17 ongoing trials investigating treatments for cardiac arrest show significant research activity across Europe, with notable concentration in Denmark, which hosts six trials. France and Sweden each host multiple trials, reflecting strong research infrastructure in these countries.
Several common themes emerge across these studies. Multiple trials focus on optimizing medication doses and combinations, particularly examining epinephrine alongside other drugs like vasopressin and steroids. There is considerable interest in comparing different approaches to the same problem, such as several trials examining various doses and combinations of medications for non-shockable cardiac arrest rhythms.
The trials address diverse aspects of cardiac arrest care, from immediate resuscitation medications to post-arrest brain protection strategies. Some studies focus on specific complications after cardiac arrest, such as seizures and shock, while others investigate entirely novel approaches like argon gas ventilation.
Most trials emphasize neurological outcomes alongside survival, recognizing that quality of life after resuscitation is as important as survival itself. The research spans both in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest scenarios, acknowledging the different challenges these settings present.
