Prehospital extracorporeal CPR program for refractory cardiac arrest in Pavia province
Feasibility Study on a Prehospital Extracorporeal CardioPulmonary Resuscitation in the Pavia's Province. An Interventional Study on Complex Treatment Strategy
This program will try extracorporeal CPR (eCPR) before hospital arrival to see if it restores blood flow sooner and improves survival and brain recovery for adults 18–70 with witnessed refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in the Pavia province.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 70 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo di Pavia Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Pavia, Pavia) |
| Trial ID | NCT07155772 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This single-center interventional program brings in-hospital extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (eCPR) into the prehospital setting for selected refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in Pavia province. Eligible adults (18–70) must have a witnessed arrest, CPR started within 5 minutes or gasping on ACLS arrival, ongoing mechanical chest compressions, etCO2 ≥ 10 mmHg, and remain in refractory arrest after at least 15 minutes of ACLS, with the eCPR team arriving within 60 minutes of collapse. The team will attempt cannulation and initiation of extracorporeal circulation on scene or en route to shorten time to organ reperfusion. The study focuses on feasibility, time-to-reperfusion metrics, and downstream survival and neurologic outcomes.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–70 who suffer a witnessed out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Pavia with CPR started promptly, ongoing mechanical chest compressions, etCO2 ≥ 10 mmHg, refractory after ≥15 minutes of ACLS, and reachable by the eCPR team within 60 minutes are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with unwitnessed arrests, prolonged downtime, low end-tidal CO2, advanced neurologic disability (mRS ≥ 3), severe pulmonary disease, end-stage cancer, age outside 18–70, or located beyond the team's response range are unlikely to benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could shorten time to organ reperfusion and increase the chance of survival with good neurologic recovery after refractory cardiac arrest.
How similar studies have performed: Some hospital-based eCPR programs have reported improved outcomes in carefully selected refractory arrest patients, but prehospital eCPR is a novel approach with limited evidence so far.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * out-of-hospital cardiac arrest occurred in Pavia province * the age of the patient is between 18 and 70 * witnessed cardiac arrest * CPR started within 5 minutes of the patient's collapse or presence of gasping at the arrival of the ACLS team * eCPR team arrived within 60 minutes of the patient's collapse * etCO2 ≥ 10 mmHg * mechanical chest compression is ongoing * refractory cardiac arrest after at least 15 minutes of ACLS Exclusion Criteria: * Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥ 3 * Advanced COPD or other advanced pulmonary illness * End-stage or metastatic neoplasm
Where this trial is running
Pavia, Pavia
- Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo — Pavia, Pavia, Italy (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Alessandra Palo, MD
- Email: a.palo@smatteo.pv.it
- Phone: +39 0382 50 3711
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.