Improving brain and heart recovery after cardiac arrest by managing oxygen levels
Official title: Resuscitating the Brain and Heart Following Cardiac Arrest: Targeting Oxygen Toxicity
Funded at University of Chicago · NIH-11064863 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether giving less oxygen right after a cardiac arrest can help patients recover better, and it's for anyone who has experienced this serious condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | April 2, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $728,498 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL169679-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11064863 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently experienced a cardiac arrest and require mechanical ventilation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not mechanically ventilated or who have not experienced a cardiac arrest may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how adjusting oxygen levels can improve recovery for patients who have experienced cardiac arrest. It challenges the common practice of providing high levels of oxygen after resuscitation, which may actually harm recovery. The study will test a new approach called oxygen restriction therapy (O2RT), where oxygen availability is limited for a short period after cardiac arrest. By observing the effects of this therapy on heart and brain function, the research aims to identify better treatment strategies for improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved survival rates and neurological outcomes for patients recovering from cardiac arrest.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of oxygen restriction therapy is novel, previous research has indicated that managing oxygen levels can significantly impact recovery outcomes in critically ill patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sharp, Willard William — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Sharp, Willard William
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Multi-center study on how ventilation during CPR relates to cardiac arrest outcomes
A large, real-world study will look at how ventilation during CPR affects survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in adults.
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Specialized post-arrest care after cardiac arrest
A large, nationwide effort tests whether transferring cardiac arrest patients to a specialized post-arrest care center improves recovery compared with usual care.
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Reduce bias in predicting brain recovery after cardiac arrest
This project aims to make brain-recovery predictions more accurate for people who survive cardiac arrest by comparing outcomes between the United States and Brazil.
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Fairer brain recovery predictions after cardiac arrest through U.S.–Brazil collaboration
This project aims to find better ways to predict brain recovery for people who survive cardiac arrest but have possible brain injury.
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Improving predictions of brain recovery after cardiac arrest
This project compares outcomes after cardiac arrest in the U.S. and Brazil to learn which tests best predict who will regain brain function for people who survive cardiac arrest.
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Reducing biased predictions of brain recovery after cardiac arrest
This project looks at cardiac arrest survivors in the US and Brazil to find more accurate ways to predict brain recovery and avoid premature stopping of life support.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.