Improving predictions of brain recovery after cardiac arrest
Addressing an Inherent Bias in Neuroprognostication: A Collaboration Between the US and Brazil to Reduce the Impact of Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in Cardiac ARrEst (SPARE)
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11468062 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I survive a cardiac arrest, this project will follow patients treated in hospitals in the U.S. and Brazil to see how their brains recover over time. Researchers will collect neurologic exams, brain scans, blood biomarkers, and electrophysiology (EEG) and then track functional and cognitive outcomes. Because Brazilian centers often continue life-sustaining treatment longer, the team can observe recovery without early withdrawal-of-care bias and identify clearer predictors of poor or good outcome. The work is led by Boston Medical Center in partnership with Brazilian hospitals using real patient data and follow-up visits.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who survive a cardiac arrest and are receiving critical care with concern for hypoxic-ischemic brain injury at participating hospitals in the U.S. or Brazil would be the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who never had a cardiac arrest, who have immediately fatal injuries, or who are not treated at participating centers are unlikely to be eligible or benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could give families and clinicians clearer and more accurate information about brain recovery after cardiac arrest and help avoid premature withdrawal of life support.
How similar studies have performed: Previous prognostic studies have been limited by early withdrawal-of-care bias, so this cross-country comparison using prolonged support in Brazil is a relatively novel approach built on established neurologic tests.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Boston Medical Center — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Greer, David Matthew — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Greer, David Matthew
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 below.