Testing inhaled hydrogen gas as a treatment during cardiac arrest

Multi-center, randomized, controlled trial of the feasibility and safety of inhaled hydrogen gas during ECPR

NIH-funded research Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10911996

This study is looking at whether inhaling hydrogen gas can help patients with congenital heart disease who have had a cardiac arrest and are receiving special heart-lung support, by potentially protecting their brain and kidneys from damage.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Children's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10911996 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the use of inhaled hydrogen gas (H2) as a potential rescue therapy for patients experiencing cardiac arrest who are undergoing extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). The study aims to determine the feasibility and safety of administering H2, which may help reduce cellular damage caused by toxic oxygen mediators during cardiac events. Patients with congenital heart disease who have been resuscitated for over five minutes will be included in this trial, which is designed to gather data on the effects of H2 on neurological and renal function. The trial is being conducted at two sites and has received positive feedback from regulatory authorities.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with congenital heart disease who have experienced a cardiac arrest lasting more than five minutes and are receiving ECPR.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have congenital heart disease or who have not experienced a cardiac arrest may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could improve survival rates and neurological outcomes for patients experiencing cardiac arrest.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of inhaled hydrogen gas has shown promise in preclinical models, its application in ECPR patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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.