Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase2; Phase3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Improving survival rates for cardiac arrest patients with Pulseless Electrical Activity

Official title: A Prospective, Pre-Hospital Comparison of Normal Saline Versus Half-Normal Saline, After Universal Calcium Chloride Administration, to Improve Outcomes in Pulseless Electrical Activity Patients

Run by Carilion Clinic · NCT05283850 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a special type of fluid with low sodium can help improve survival rates for patients who have a cardiac arrest with pulseless electrical activity.

Quick facts

PhasePhase2; Phase3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment342 (estimated)
SponsorCarilion Clinic
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Roanoke, Virginia)
StatusRecruiting
StartedFebruary 16, 2022
Main results expectedFebruary 2027
Study endsFebruary 2027
Registry record updatedMarch 17, 2022
Trial IDNCT05283850 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates for this study are adults presenting with PEA during treatment by participating emergency medical services.

Probably not a fit

Patients under 18 years old, those with traumatic cardiac arrest, or those with a Do Not Resuscitate order may not benefit from 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 study investigates the outcomes of patients experiencing Pulseless Electrical Activity (PEA) during cardiac arrest, focusing on the effectiveness of a High Calcium, Low Sodium (HCLS) fluid compared to a High Calcium, High Sodium (HCHS) fluid in pre-hospital care. Conducted by the Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, the study will automatically enroll eligible PEA patients treated by local emergency medical services. Patients will be randomized into two groups to receive either HCLS or HCHS fluids, with both groups receiving calcium. The goal is to determine if the HCLS fluid improves survival chances for these patients.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could significantly increase survival rates for patients experiencing PEA during cardiac arrest.

How similar studies have gone: While studies on fluid administration in cardiac arrest have been conducted, the specific approach of using HCLS fluid in PEA patients is novel and has not been extensively tested.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* All patients who present with PEA at any time during the patients' treatment by Roanoke Fire-EMS, Botetourt County Department of Fire \& EMS and/or Salem Fire-EMS. This study defines a PEA presentation as any patient who is unconscious, presenting without a carotid pulse and with non-(VT/VF) ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillation electrical activity.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patient less than 18 years old
* Known pregnancy
* Duration of untreated cardiac arrest of more than 30 minutes
* Traumatic cardiac arrest
* Known (LVAD) Left Ventricular Assist Device
* Rapidly fatal underlying disease
* Known or suspected digitalis toxicity
* A physical, durable (DNR) Do Not Resuscitate (or durable DNR medical jewelry) presented to EMS before treatment with asserting a preference not to be enrolled
* Prisoners and other populations with involuntary consent

Where it's running

  • Carilion Clinic
    Roanoke, Virginia, United States
    Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.