In short
Currently, there is 1 ongoing clinical trial investigating treatments for reperfusion injury, specifically focusing on brain injury following cardiac arrest. This trial is testing a sodium lactate solution to help protect the brain in comatose patients after their heart has been restarted.
Clinical trial locations
Study on the Effects of Sodium Lactate and Electrolyte Solution in Comatose Patients After Cardiac Arrest
This trial is focused on helping patients who have experienced a cardiac arrest, when the heart suddenly stops beating. After such an event, many patients suffer from brain damage due to lack of oxygen, known as post-anoxic brain injury, and may fall into a coma. The study aims to test whether a special solution containing sodium lactate can help reduce this brain injury and improve recovery outcomes.
Main inclusion criteria:
- Patients must be older than 18 years
- The heart must have restarted on its own and continued beating for at least 20 minutes
- Patients must be in a coma, measured by a Glasgow Coma Scale score of less than 9, which indicates being unconscious and unresponsive
- The time it took for the heart to restart must have been more than 15 minutes
Main exclusion criteria:
- Patients with brain injuries not related to lack of oxygen
- Patients who are not in a coma
- Patients who have not experienced a cardiac arrest
- Patients without post-cardiac arrest syndrome
- Patients outside the specified age range
Focus and goals: The main goal of this trial is to evaluate whether infusing a hypertonic sodium lactate solution can reduce brain injury in comatose patients after cardiac arrest. Researchers will measure levels of a protein called neuron-specific enolase in the blood 48 hours after the heart restarts, as this protein indicates the extent of brain damage. The study will also track patient recovery using the cerebral performance category score at 90 days, length of hospital and intensive care unit stays, mortality rates, and other health indicators. The trial will continue monitoring patients until November 30, 2030.
Investigational drugs: The trial is testing hypertonic sodium lactate, which is given directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous infusion. This solution is designed to provide energy to brain cells and potentially protect them from further damage after the heart has stopped and been restarted. Another solution called Plasmalyte A Viaflo, which contains a mix of electrolytes including magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, sodium acetate, and sodium gluconate, may also be used during treatment.
Summary
Currently, only one clinical trial is actively investigating treatments for reperfusion injury related to cardiac arrest. This trial is being conducted in Belgium and focuses specifically on protecting the brain after the heart has been restarted. The study is testing hypertonic sodium lactate, a solution that aims to provide energy to damaged brain cells and reduce further injury. This represents an important area of research, as brain damage following cardiac arrest is a major cause of disability and death in patients who survive the initial event. The trial will run until 2030, allowing researchers to gather long-term data on patient outcomes and recovery.
