Comparing defibrillation techniques for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Strategies for Defibrillation During Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest - A Randomized Clinical Trial

Not applicable Interventional Aarhus University Hospital · NCT06781892

This study tests different ways to use defibrillators on adults who have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital to see which method works best to restart their hearts.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment909 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAarhus University Hospital Academic / other
Locations6 sites (Aalborg and 5 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06781892 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The STRAT-DEFI trial investigates different defibrillation strategies for adults experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. It compares standard anterior-lateral pad positioning with anterior-posterior positioning and double-sequential defibrillation. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques in restoring normal heart rhythm. The trial aims to determine which method yields the best outcomes for patients in critical situations.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have experienced an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm.

Not a fit: Patients with cardiac arrest due to trauma or those for whom posterior pad placement is not feasible may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve survival rates and outcomes for patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on defibrillation techniques, this specific comparison of double-sequential defibrillation is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
2. Age ≥ 18 years
3. ≥ 1 manual defibrillation attempt by emergency medical services
4. Shockable rhythm as the last known rhythm
5. Two manual defibrillators present on-site

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, or burn injury suspected to be the cause of the cardiac arrest
2. Prior enrollment in the trial
3. Posterior pad placement not deemed possible by on-site clinician

Where this trial is running

Aalborg and 5 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cardiac ArrestOut-of-hospital cardiac arrestDefibrillationDouble-sequential defibrillation
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.