Cardiac Arrest: Using Ultrasound to Find Hidden Blood Flow
Official title: Bedside Ultrasound Detection of Occult Prefusion in the Emergency Department Following Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest.
Run by University of Massachusetts, Worcester · NCT07897370 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests whether patients who have out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but no pulse still show some blood flow on ultrasound and whether that finding relates to survival.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 1400 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Massachusetts, Worcester Academic / other |
| Locations | 8 sites (Denver, Colorado and 7 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 1, 2026 |
| Main results expected | March 1, 2029 |
| Study ends | October 1, 2029 |
| Registry record updated | October 27, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07897370 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest presenting to the emergency department and undergoing resuscitation with ultrasound imaging.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients without occult perfusion or those not receiving ultrasound imaging may not benefit from implications of this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a multicenter, prospective observational study in the US and Canada. It will enroll adults who have out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and arrive at the emergency department; ultrasound may be used at the clinicians’ discretion during resuscitation. The study will classify CPR pauses and interventions as ACLS or non-ACLS, and will determine occult perfusion through blinded review of echo and vascular imaging. Outcomes include ROSC, survival to hospital admission, and survival to hospital discharge. Data will be collected from imaging, resuscitation pauses, and clinical course to describe prevalence and associations with outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If occult perfusion is common and linked to better survival, this could influence how clinicians interpret ultrasound findings during resuscitation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research suggests ultrasound findings during resuscitation can be informative, but this exact occult perfusion concept is exploratory and adds new insight.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Patients presenting following out-of-hospital atraumatic cardiac arrest Exclusion Criteria: * Resuscitation ended due to end-of-life decisions * Documented allergy to ultrasound gel * Technical malfunction of ultrasound machine during imaging that prevents use * Ultrasound machine unable to record images * Cardiac Ultrasound not performed during first, second or third pause in CPR AND vascular Ultrasound not performed during first, second or third pause in CPR
Where it's running
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UmassMemorial Medical Center
Worcester, Massachusetts, United States Recruiting -
Denver Health
Denver, Colorado, United States Not yet recruiting -
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
Lebanon, New Hampshire, United States Not yet recruiting -
St Barnabas Hospital
New York, New York, United States Not yet recruiting -
UH Cleveland Medical Center
Cleveland, Ohio, United States Not yet recruiting -
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, United States Not yet recruiting
Show 2 more locations
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VCU Health
Richmond, Virginia, United States Not yet recruiting -
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, United States Not yet recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.