Epinephrine Dose: Optimal Versus Standard Evaluation Trial

Launched by UNITY HEALTH TORONTO · Jan 30, 2019

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Epinephrine Dose: Optimal Versus Standard Evaluation Trial is a research study looking at how effective different doses of epinephrine are during the treatment of certain types of cardiac arrest that happen outside of a hospital. Specifically, the trial compares a lower total dose of epinephrine with the standard amount given to adults who experience ventricular fibrillation (a life-threatening heart rhythm) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. The goal is to see if the lower dose might work just as well or even better in helping patients survive and recover.

To participate in this trial, you must be an adult aged 18 or older who has experienced a cardiac arrest treated by paramedics, with a specific heart rhythm at the time of the event. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard or the lower dose of epinephrine during their emergency treatment. This trial is currently recruiting and aims to help improve emergency care for cardiac arrest, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest treated by paramedics
• • Initial recorded cardiac rhythm of VF or pulseless VT, or, AED shock on first analysis administered or witnessed by EMS (paramedic or fire)
• • Established intravenous vascular access
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Known or apparent age \<18 years
• • Initial recorded cardiac rhythm of VF or pulseless VT, or, AED shock on first analysis administered or confirmed by paramedics
• • Cardiac arrest due to an obvious non-cardiac primary cause (e.g. blunt or penetrating trauma, exsanguination, burns, drug overdose, drowning, anaphylaxis, sudden asphyxiation, etc.)
• • Administration of intramuscular, endotracheal tube, or intraosseous epinephrine
• • Prisoners or persons in police custody
• • Known allergy or sensitivity to epinephrine