Prehospital access to extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation in Prague
Prehospital Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: A Pilot Study in Prague
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
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | General University Hospital, Prague Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Prague, Czechia) |
| Trial ID | NCT06789978 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
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.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18-70 who have experienced a witnessed refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.
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.
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 performed: While the concept of prehospital ECPR is emerging, this specific approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
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 this trial is running
Prague, Czechia
- General University Hospital in Prague — Prague, Czechia, Czechia (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jan Belohlavek, MD, PhD
- Email: jan.belohlavek@vfn.cz
- Phone: 420724371594
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.