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Early Double Sequential Defibrillation in Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest

Not Applicable
Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Sudden Cardiac Arrest
Sudden Cardiac Death
Cardiac Arrest
Fibrillation, Ventricular
Interventions
Device: Standard defibrillation
Device: Double Sequential Defibrillation (DSD)
Registration Number
NCT06447805
Lead Sponsor
Karolinska Institutet
Brief Summary

Some of the patients affected by Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) with ventricular fibrillation (VF)/ventricular tachycardia (VT) do not respond to initial defibrillation. The survival decreases with number of defibrillations required to terminate VF/VT. In 2022, one prospective cluster randomized trial showed increased survival among (OHCA) patients in refractory VF using Double Sequential Defibrillation (DSD).

To evaluate feasibility and safety this randomized pilot trial will compare the effect of double defibrillation strategy initiated as soon as possible after the first defibrillation with continued resuscitation using standard defibrillation, in patients with Out of Hospital Cardiac arrest (OHCA). The results from this pilot trial will form the basis for design of a larger multicenter survival study.

Detailed Description

The Dubbel-D study is an academic, investigator initiated, open-label pilot study with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design conducted in the prehospital emergency medical services, i.e. ambulance organizations. The trial will be conducted by participating ambulance units attending OHCA´s. These units will perform screening for inclusion, randomization, intervention or control treatment and initial follow-up.

In all cases of OHCA a defibrillator should always be attached with the standard pad placement, anterio-lateral (A-L) position first. This is in accordance with standard of care. If there is VT/VF or an automated external defibrillator (AED) suggests defibrillation, defibrillation should be performed, and immediate chest compressions resumed. Thereafter, the patient can be screened for inclusion. If two study specific defibrillators (Corpulse 3) on site and no exclusion criteria (age below 18 years, obvious pregnancy, known preexisting Do Not Attempt Resuscitation order) the patient can be included and randomized.

Randomization will be performed by drawing a scratch-card with concealed allocation that will be stored with the EMS defibrillators. All scratch-cards will be pre-randomized in a 3:1 ratio in blocks consisting of 4-8-12 and stratified by region and ambulance provider.

If the patient is randomized to the intervention group, the ambulance crew team will apply the second defibrillator with electrodes placed in the anterio-posterior (A-P) position as soon as possible. Defibrillation is performed by one person defibrillating both defibrillators in a sequential manner "Double Sequential Defibrillation" (DSD). All consecutive defibrillations will thereafter be performed with the DSD strategy until ROSC, termination of resuscitation or decision to move the patient to hospital.

If randomized to the control group, the ambulance crew team will continue Advanced Life Support (ACLS) in accordance with standard of care. Defibrillation is performed with standard electrode placement (A-L position) using a single defibrillator. If an AED is the first defibrillator attached to the patient, the ambulance crew should shift from an AED to their own manual defibrillator, but the mode of defibrillation should remain in A-L position and only one defibrillator should be used for each defibrillation and continue until ROSC, termination of resuscitation or decision to move the patient to hospital.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
40
Inclusion Criteria
  • Out-of-Hospital patients with Ventricular Fibrillation/ Ventricular Tachycardia at rhythm analysis after ambulance arrival and at least one defibrillation performed in standard (Antero-Lateral) position
Exclusion Criteria
  • Age below 18 years
  • Obvious pregnancy
  • Known preexisting Do Not Attempt Resuscitation order

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Standard defibrillationStandard defibrillationIf the patient is randomized to the standard defibrillation group, the ambulance crew team will continue Advanced life support in accordance with standard of care and continue to perform standard defibibrillation using one defibrillator. All consecutive defibrillations will thereafter be performed with the standard defibrillation strategy until ROSC, termination of resuscitation or decision to move the patient to hospital.
Double Sequential Defibrillation (DSD)Double Sequential Defibrillation (DSD)If the patient is randomized to the DSD group, the ambulance crew team will apply the second defibrillator with electrodes placed in the A-P position as soon as possible. Defibrillation is performed by one person defibrillating both defibrillators in a sequential manner "Double Sequential Defibrillation" (DSD). All consecutive defibrillations will thereafter be performed with the DSD strategy until ROSC, termination of resuscitation or decision to move the patient to hospital.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Safety of CPR during double sequential external defibrillationday 1

Chest compression fraction (hands off time during CPR, target \> 80% in both groups)

Adherence to double sequential external defibrillation (DSD)day 1

Among patients randomized to DSD, proportion that received DSD (target \> 80%)

Cross-overday 1

Among patients randomized to standard, proportion that received DSD (target \< 10%)

Feasibility of double sequential external defibrillation (DSD)day 1

Proportion of eligible patients included and randomized (target \> 80%)

Feasibility of early double sequential external defibrillation (DSD)day 1

Number of EMS defibrillations prior to randomization (target \> 80% before third defibrillation)

Safety of double sequential external defibrillationday 1

Major adverse events (e.g. defibrillator malfunction)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)day 1

Proportion of patients with sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) at hospital arrival

30 day survivalday 30

Survival at 30 days

Survival to dischargeday 1-180

Survival to hospital discharge

Survival to hospital admissionday 1

Pateint is admitted to hospital alive

Neurological function at 30 daysday 30

Neurological function (modified Rankin Scale, mRS 1-6, and Cerebral Performance Category, CPC 1-5) at 30 days

Number of defibrillations to sustained ROSCday 1

Total number of defibrillations to sustained ROSC

Neurological function and Health related Quality of life at 90 and 180 daysday 90 and 180

Neurological function (modifiied Rankin Scale and Cerebral Performance Category) and Health-related Quality of life at 90 and 180 days (CPC 1-5, mRS 1-6)

Trial Locations

Locations (3)

Emergency medical services Region Halland

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Halmstad, Halland, Sweden

Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset, Ambulans och Prehospital Akutsjukvård

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Göteborg, Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden

Sjukhusen i väster, ambulanssjukvården Alingsås/Lerum

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Alingsås, Västra Götalandsregionen, Sweden

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