RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Early Neuroprognostication After OHCA

This research, called "STEPCARE EARLY-NEURO," is a small part of a larger ongoing study. Its main goal is to see if doctors can predict brain recovery much sooner for patients who have had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Currently, doctors wait for about 72 hours before they can give a good prediction about long-term brain damage. This study will use early brain scans (CT), brainwave tests (EEG), and special blood tests for brain injury markers to see if a prediction can be made accurately at just 24 hours. They believe that combining these tests can give a clearer picture earlier, helping families and medical teams make important decisions sooner without giving false hope or worry.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

Lund University

Enrolment target

1,000

Start

01 Oct 2023

Estimated completion

31 Jul 2029

Cardiac Arrest Neurological Outcome EEG CT Brain Injuries Biomarkers

What is this study about?

Imagine someone has a cardiac arrest, which means their heart suddenly stops. After they've been revived, doctors spend a lot of time watching to see how their brain has been affected. Right now, guidelines usually suggest waiting about three days (72 hours) before doctors can give a clear idea of what to expect for someone's brain recovery.

This study is trying to change that. It's looking at whether doctors can understand a patient's brain health much sooner – within just 24 hours after their heart has started beating again. They'll be using a combination of different tests: a special type of blood test that looks for signs of brain injury, a test called an EEG (which measures brain waves), and CT scans of the brain.

The main idea is that by combining these tests, doctors might be able to get a more accurate picture earlier on. This could help families understand what's happening more quickly and allow medical teams to tailor care more effectively. It’s a part of a bigger study focusing on different treatments after cardiac arrest, and this specific part is about improving how we predict brain recovery.

Key takeaways

Aims to predict brain recovery earlier after cardiac arrest.
Uses blood tests, brainwave tests (EEG), and brain scans (CT).
Hopes to make predictions at 24 hours, not 72 hours.
Is an observational study, not a treatment study.
Part of a larger critical care research program.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 to 100 years old who have had a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital, meaning their heart stopped and then started again.

To join, participants must have been unconscious after their heart started again and need intensive care. There are also specific rules about how long chest compressions weren't happening and how quickly they were brought into the hospital after their heart restarted.

However, some people can't join. This includes if they were already on a special heart-lung machine (ECMO) before the study, are pregnant, have known brain bleeding, or have serious illnesses that limit their care. Also, if they've already been part of the bigger study this one is linked to, they won't be able to join this specific part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you an adult (18-100 years old)?
Did you have a cardiac arrest outside of the hospital?
Were you unconscious after your heart started again?
Are you receiving intensive care with no restrictions?
Do you not have serious conditions like brain bleeding or advanced cancer?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you or a loved one were to take part in this study, it would involve doctors performing some extra tests. These include special blood tests to look for brain injury markers, an EEG (which measures brain activity) and a CT scan of the head. These tests would be done as early as possible, around 24 hours after heart arrest. You or your loved one would already be critical care patients receiving standard hospital care. There wouldn't be any new medicines given because of this study. The information from these tests would be collected to see if they help predict brain recovery earlier than current methods. Since this is an observational study, it doesn't involve active treatments, just collecting more information during existing care. The total duration of individual participation would focus on these early measurements, but outcomes would be followed as part of ongoing hospital care.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study means doctors would perform some extra tests like blood samples, an EEG, and a CT scan. These are generally safe procedures used in hospitals, but like any medical test, they carry very small risks, for example, minor discomfort from a blood draw. The potential benefit is that the information gathered could help doctors in the future make earlier and more accurate predictions about brain recovery for other patients who have had a cardiac arrest. This study does not involve new treatments for the participant. You would have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without it affecting the care you receive.

Locations (4)

Helsinki Hospital
Verified postcode
Helsinki, Finland· Recruiting
Charité University Hospital
Verified postcode
Berlin, Germany· Recruiting
Helsingborgs Hospital
Verified postcode
Helsingborg, Sweden· Recruiting
Skane University Hospital
Verified postcode
Lund, Sweden· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops pumping blood around your body. It's a life-threatening emergency.

What does 'neuroprognostication' mean in simple terms?

It means trying to predict how well someone's brain will recover after a serious event, like a cardiac arrest.

Why do doctors want to predict recovery earlier?

Knowing sooner can help families and doctors make important decisions about a patient's care and future, and it can reduce the anxious waiting period.

Will I get special treatment if I join this study?

This particular study doesn't change your medical treatment. It's about gathering more information through tests to learn for future patients.

What is an EEG and a CT scan?

An EEG (electroencephalogram) measures electrical activity in your brain, like brain waves. A CT scan (computerised tomography) uses X-rays to create detailed images of your brain.

How to find out more

Marion Moseby-Knappe, MD, PhD

marion.moseby_knappe@med.lu.se 00464671000 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.