Prehospital access to extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Prague
Official title: Prehospital Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Pilot Study in Prague
Run by General University Hospital, Prague · NCT06789978 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a special emergency treatment called prehospital extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) can help people who have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital survive better and have better brain function compared to those who only get treatment in the hospital.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | General University Hospital, Prague Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Prague, Czechia) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | January 20, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 16, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 16, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | February 14, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT06789978 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18-70 who have experienced a witnessed refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who may not benefit from this study include those with unwitnessed cardiac arrest, asystole, or known severe neurological impairment prior to the event.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot feasibility study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a prehospital extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) system for patients experiencing refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) in Prague. The study will compare outcomes of patients receiving prehospital ECPR to a historical cohort of those who received in-hospital ECPR. The intervention involves deploying an ECPR team to provide advanced resuscitation techniques in the field. The study seeks to determine if this approach can improve survival rates and neurological outcomes for patients in critical condition.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve survival rates and neurological outcomes for patients experiencing cardiac arrest outside of a hospital setting.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of prehospital ECPR is emerging, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Estimated age 18-70 years * Refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (3 unsuccessful defibrillations and/or at least 10 minutes of resuscitation in case of pulseless electrical activity) * Witnessed cardiac arrest * ECPR team available * ECPR team alert within 20 minutes from the emergency call Exclusion Criteria: * Unwitnessed cardiac arrest * Asystole * ETCO2 less than 10 mmHg upon ECPR team arrival * Known limitations of intensive care (Do Not Resuscitate - DNR status) * Known severe neurological impairment prior to cardiac arrest (mRS 4-6) * Suspected or known pregnancy
Where it's running
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General University Hospital in Prague
Prague, Czechia, Czechia Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jan Belohlavek, MD, PhD
- Email: jan.belohlavek@vfn.cz
- Phone: 420724371594
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Using ECMO for patients with refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
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Minimal Sedation After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
This study tests whether stopping continuous sedation right after return of circulation is as safe as keeping patients sedated in the early hours after OHCA.
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Super-Early Neuroprognostication in eCPR Patients
This observational study tests whether rapid brain-status measurements taken early after ECMO initiation can help predict neurological outcomes in adults considered for eCPR.
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This project will test whether drones can deliver AEDs quickly to bystanders helping someone who has a cardiac arrest outside a hospital.
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Pre-hospital wearable cooling after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
This pilot test tries a battery-free CarbonCool® cooling vest applied by paramedics to adults who regain a pulse after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest but remain unconscious to see if early cooling is feasible and safe.
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Early double sequential defibrillation for cardiac arrest outside the hospital
We test whether using two defibrillators in quick succession after the first failed shock helps adults with out‑of‑hospital cardiac arrest and a shockable rhythm survive more often than continuing standard single shocks.
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.