Choking treatments for adults and children
Prospective Evaluation of Foreign Body Airway Obstruction Interventions Among Adults and Children: A Non-randomized Pilot Cohort Study
This project will test whether common emergency first-aid techniques (back blows, abdominal thrusts, and chest compressions) work and are safe for adults and children who choke in Alberta.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Ages | 3 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Calgary Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Calgary, Alberta) |
| Trial ID | NCT07365137 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This prospective feasibility project will collect real-time information on out-of-hospital choking events in Alberta, recording which bystander or provider interventions (back blows, abdominal thrusts, chest compressions/thrusts) were used and the immediate outcomes. Eligible cases are people older than 2 years who received a conscious FBAO intervention and were assessed by EMS or later attended an emergency department. The first phase tests whether identifying and recruiting choking patients in real time is practical so that high-quality data can be captured. If feasible, the investigators plan a subsequent comparative project to directly compare the effectiveness and safety of the different techniques.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: People older than 2 years who experienced an out-of-hospital choking event in Alberta, received a conscious bystander or healthcare-provider intervention, and were assessed by EMS or attended an emergency department are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with abnormal airway anatomy (for example a tracheostomy), those who were unconscious when they received the initial intervention, children under 2 years, or individuals whose event occurred outside Alberta are unlikely to be included or benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could clarify which common first-aid maneuvers most quickly clear airways and reduce injuries and deaths from choking.
How similar studies have performed: Existing evidence mainly comes from older case series from the late 1900s, so prospective real-time data collection on choking interventions is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult or children (aged greater than 2 years) who experienced an out-of-hospital FBAO in Alberta, Canada * Received a FBAO intervention while conscious by bystander or healthcare provider * Were assessed by EMS at the time of the incident, or later attended an emergency department due to the incident Exclusion Criteria: * Patients with abnormal airway anatomy such as a tracheostomy. * Patients who were unconscious when they received the initial FBAO intervention
Where this trial is running
Calgary, Alberta
- Virtual — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Cody Dunne, MD — University of Calgary
- Study coordinator: Cody Dunne, MD
- Email: cody.dunne@ucalgary.ca
- Phone: 1-403-944-1818
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.