The ECPR Study for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
PI: Brian Grunau
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Summary:
Background: The addition of an extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) service to a region may improve the survival of young patients with sudden unexpected cardiac arrest. The primary aim of this study is to determine the benefit of the systematic integration of ECPR services into an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest management algorithm.
Methods: This study is an observational evaluation of a clinical protocol. The investigators will compare the outcomes of ECPR-eligible patients in the ECPR-protocol region, in comparison to patients meeting the same criteria in a comparable setting. The primary outcome is survival with favourable neurological status (CPC 1-2) at hospital discharge. The following patients are eligible: treated by an ALS paramedic, in refractory arrest after a minimum of three cycles of attempted resuscitation, witnessed arrest, initial shockable rhythm or PEA initial rhythm with bystander CPR, presumed cardiac cause or cardiotoxic drug overdose or hypothermia, and no major comorbidities or neurological deficits.