Improving survival rates and organ donation after cardiac arrest

The Hemodynamic and Metabolic Effects of Advanced Circulatory Support for Resuscitation

NIH-funded research Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10767289

This study is looking at how a special heart support system called ECMO can help improve blood flow during cardiac arrest to save lives and find organ donors, especially for patients who don’t regain heart function.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10767289 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how advanced circulatory support methods, specifically Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), can enhance blood flow during cardiac arrest to improve survival rates. The study aims to determine the critical blood flow needed for survival and explore new ECMO systems that use shorter cannulas for easier placement. By focusing on patients who do not achieve return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or are brain dead, the research seeks to identify viable organ donors and address the organ shortage crisis. The methodology includes evaluating the effectiveness of these new ECMO systems in real-time clinical settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and do not achieve ROSC.

Not a fit: Patients who have already achieved ROSC or those with conditions that preclude organ donation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly increase survival rates from cardiac arrest and expand the pool of viable organ donors.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that ECMO can double survival rates compared to conventional CPR, indicating a promising avenue for further exploration.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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.
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.