About this trial
The primary objective of this pilot, pragmatic stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial is to evaluate if a modified cardiac arrest treatment algorithm calling for the administration of the initial amiodarone dose one 2-minute cycle earlier than current guidelines (during the same cycle as the initial dose of epinephrine) improves the time to amiodarone delivery in those with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to refractory ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia compared to usual care.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Emergency medical services (EMS)-treated non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Initial rhythm on EMS rhythm assessment of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia
Recurrence or persistence of ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia after one defibrillation attempt
Disqualifiers
Known allergy to amiodarone
EMS-assessed contraindication to amiodarone
Pre-existing "do-not-attempt-resuscitation" orders
Inter-facility transportations
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Amiodarone Hydrochloride Injection
- Usual Care Protocol
Treatment groups
Sponsors and collaborators
Oregon Health and Science University
Lead sponsor
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Collaborator