Reducing biased 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)
['FUNDING_R01'] · BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11468061
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.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | BOSTON MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11468061 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you or a loved one survive a cardiac arrest and have possible brain injury, this work follows patients treated in both the US and Brazil, where practices about continuing life support differ. Researchers will compare neurologic exams, brain scans, electrical brain tests, and blood markers to see which signs truly predict long-term recovery. Because Brazil tends to maintain life-sustaining treatment longer, the team can observe outcomes without early withdrawal of care and identify which tests are most reliable. The goal is to reduce cases where life support is stopped too soon and to give families clearer information about likely recovery.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who survive cardiac arrest and are receiving life-sustaining treatment in the ICU with concern for hypoxic-ischemic brain injury are the ideal candidates for this research.
Not a fit: Patients who are already clearly brain-dead or whose prognosis is determined by other irreversible medical conditions are unlikely to benefit from the findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians make more accurate predictions about brain recovery after cardiac arrest, reducing premature withdrawal of life support and improving chances for recovery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous prognostic studies have been limited by early withdrawal of life support and resulting bias, and using cross-country comparisons to overcome this bias is a relatively new and promising approach.
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.