Testing airway management techniques for critically ill children in emergencies

Pediatric Prehospital Airway Resuscitation Trial

Not applicable Interventional Ohio State University · NCT06364280

This study tests different ways to help critically ill children breathe during emergencies to see which method works best for their recovery.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment3000 (estimated)
Ages24 Hours to 17 Years
SexAll
SponsorOhio State University Academic / other
Locations10 sites (Tucson, Arizona and 9 other locations)
Trial IDNCT06364280 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial evaluates the effectiveness of various prehospital airway management strategies for critically ill children experiencing cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, or major trauma. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel will implement different interventions, including bag-valve-mask ventilation (BVM), supraglottic airway (SGA) insertion, and endotracheal intubation (ETI), to determine which method leads to the best outcomes. The study is structured in two stages, with the first stage comparing BVM-only and BVM followed by SGA, and the second stage comparing the winner of the first stage against BVM followed by ETI. The primary goal is to assess 30-day ICU-free survival rates among participants.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are children aged 24 hours to under 18 years who are experiencing cardiac arrest, major trauma, or respiratory failure requiring active airway management.

Not a fit: Patients with pre-existing tracheostomy, do-not-resuscitate status, or those who are pregnant will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve airway management techniques in emergency situations, leading to better survival rates for critically ill children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have highlighted the need for rigorous trials in pediatric airway management, indicating that this approach is both necessary and timely.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria are:

* At least 24 hours old and \<18 years old
* Cardiopulmonary arrest, major trauma or respiratory failure
* Life-saving care initiated or continued by Pedi-PART EMS personnel as part of an emergency "9-1-1" response
* Requiring active airway management (BVM or higher level of respiratory support

Exclusion criteria are:

* Prisoners
* Pre-existing tracheostomy
* Pre-existing do-not-resuscitate/do-not-intubate status
* Visibly or known to be pregnant
* Initial advanced airway attempt by an EMS agency not affiliated with the study
* Interfacility transports

EMS personnel will use bystander reports or follow local protocols to establish patient age and pregnancy status.

Where this trial is running

Tucson, Arizona and 9 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 Heart Arrest, Out-Of-HospitalWounds and InjuriesRespiratory Insufficiency in ChildrenChild, OnlyCritical Illnessairway managementintubation, intratrachealemergency medical services
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.