How long cooling helps children after cardiac arrest

1/2 Pediatric Influence of Cooling duration on Efficacy in Cardiac Arrest Patients (P-ICECAP)

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11173673

This research sees if longer targeted cooling after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest helps children survive and recover brain function.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11173673 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If my child is resuscitated after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, this project would compare different lengths of targeted temperature management (therapeutic cooling) to see which duration leads to better brain recovery. Doctors will use controlled cooling (typical therapeutic hypothermia ranges) in pediatric ICU settings and follow children through recovery. Outcomes will include survival and neurologic function measured with tools like the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales–Third Edition. The goal is to define a duration-response relationship so more children can get the right 'dose' of cooling.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Children (infants through adolescents) who are successfully resuscitated after an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and admitted to a participating hospital for targeted temperature management are the intended candidates.

Not a fit: Patients who were not resuscitated, who have already severe irreversible brain injury, or who cannot receive cooling for medical reasons are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, identifying the best cooling duration could improve survival and long-term brain function for children after cardiac arrest.

How similar studies have performed: Adult trials of targeted temperature management have shown mixed results and pediatric data are limited, so this approach builds on promising preclinical work but is still relatively novel for children.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired brain injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.