Using EEG to guide anesthesia for seizures after cardiac arrest

buRst-supprESsion TO Stop Refractory Status Epilepticus Post-cardiac Arrest (RESTORE)

Phase 2 Interventional University of California, San Francisco · NCT05851391

This study is testing two different ways of using EEG to guide anesthesia in patients who have had a cardiac arrest and are experiencing severe seizures, to see which method works better at controlling those seizures.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of California, San Francisco Academic / other
Locations1 site (San Francisco, California)
Trial IDNCT05851391 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial investigates the safety and feasibility of two different EEG-guided anesthesia approaches for treating refractory status epilepticus in patients who have survived cardiac arrest. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either burst suppression or seizure suppression anesthesia for 24 hours, with the possibility of repeating the intervention if seizures recur. The study aims to determine which EEG target is more effective in controlling seizures following cardiac arrest. The trial will involve continuous EEG monitoring to confirm the diagnosis of post-cardiac arrest refractory status epilepticus.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 18 and older who have experienced a non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and are comatose upon admission.

Not a fit: Patients with acute cerebral hemorrhage or infarction, pregnant individuals, and prisoners will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve seizure control and outcomes for patients recovering from cardiac arrest.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of EEG-guided anesthesia is established, this specific comparison of burst suppression versus seizure suppression in post-cardiac arrest patients is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ≥18 years old
2. Non-traumatic, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
3. Comatose on admission - defined as not following commands
4. Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) within less than 45 minutes
5. Admission to the intensive care unit
6. Diagnosis of post-cardiac arrest refractory status epilepticus confirmed with continuous

EEG monitoring within 7 days from ROSC

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Acute cerebral hemorrhage or infarction
2. Pregnancy
3. Prisoners

Where this trial is running

San Francisco, California

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 Hypoxia-Ischemia, BrainHeart ArrestStatus EpilepticusRefractory Status EpilepticusSeizuresAnoxic-Ischemic EncephalopathyAnoxia-Ischemia, Cerebral
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.