Early Double Sequential Defibrillation in Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest

NCT ID: NCT07174986

Last Updated: 2026-01-15

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

PHASE2/PHASE3

Total Enrollment

916 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-08

Study Completion Date

2029-12-31

Brief Summary

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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). If DSD can increase survival among all patients in VF that dont respond to one defibrillation, i.e. before it has become refractory is not known.

The aim of this trial is to assess survival with a double defibrillation strategy initiated as soon as possible among patients with Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest with initial shockable rhythm and at least one failed standard defibrillation, compared with continued resuscitation using standard defibrillation.

Detailed Description

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Background: Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) affects about 270,000 individuals in Europe annually.\[1\] In OHCA, presenting with ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) amendable to defibrillation are among the strongest predictors of survival.\[2\] If defibrillation can be done successfully within the first 3-5 minutes survival can be as high as 70 %.\[3\] However, some patients in VT/VF do not respond to initial defibrillation, and survival decreases with number of defibrillations required to terminate VT/VF.\[4\]

In 2022, one prospective cluster randomized trial showed increased survival among OHCA patients in refractory VF using an alternative defibrillation strategy with either, switching to Anterior-Posterior defibrillation pad placements (A-P) or Double Sequential Defibrillation "DSD", (Using two defibrillators, one in the standard anterior-lateral position (A-L) and one in A-P position and defibrillation in rapid sequence) compared to standard defibrillation pad placement.\[5\] Refractory VF was defined as VF that persisted despite three consecutive defibrillations with defibrillation pads in the standard position.

These results prompted the International Liaison Committee on Resuscitation (ILCOR) to release a statement of treatment recommendation on DSD in March 6, 2023. It suggested that "…either vector change or DSD may be considered for adults with cardiac arrest who remain in VF or pulseless VT despite three defibrillations (weak recommendation, low certainty of evidence)." \[6\] Further, if DSD would be used it should be performed with a methodology similar to that described in the trial by Cheskes et al.

However, several questions remain. Knowledge gaps highlighted in the ILCOR statement included if the results from this one cluster randomized trial could be reproduced in any other setting. Further, since survival is inversely associated with the number of defibrillation shocks, if earlier application of DSD could lead to even higher survival for patients not in refractory VF has never been studied.

Study rationale: In order to evaluate if an early DSD-strategy could benefit all patients with VT/VF after the first shock, including those not in refractory VF, the Double-D trial is designed. If DSD would prove to be superior to standard defibrillation in a broader cardiac arrest population, also among those not in refractory VF, this would have a large impact on how Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) should be performed.

Design: This is an academic, investigator initiated, open-label pilot study with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design and 1:1 allocation (1 DSD: 1 standard). Screening for inclusion will be performed in all cardiac arrests by participating EMS units where there are two study-specific defibrillators available on site.

Study population: Adult OHCA patients with pulseless VT/VF at initial rhythm analysis, at least one defibrillation performed in standard A-L position without return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC).

P: Adult patients, 18 years or older, with OHCA, initial shockable rhythm (VT/VF) and, at least, one defibrillation performed in standard position and ongoing CPR (no ROSC).

I: Application of a second defibrillator with pad-placement in the anterior-posterior (A-P) position as early as possible after the first shock and double sequential defibrillation after the following rhythm analysis if the patient is still in VT/VF.

C: Standard defibrillation electrode placement (A-L) and routine defibrillation with one defibrillator after the following rhythm analysis if the patient is still in VT/VF.

O: Primary outcome is 30-day survival.

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.

Conditions

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Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest Ventricular Fibrillation Defibrillation CPR ACLS Sudden Death

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Academic, investigator initiated, open-label pilot study with a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

DOUBLE

Participants Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Early Double sequential defibrillation

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.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Double sequential defibirllation

Intervention Type DEVICE

A second defibrillator will be applyed with electrodes placed in the A-P position and defibrillation will be performed with two defibrllators in a sequential manner

Standard defibrillation

If 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.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Standard defibrillation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Standard defibrillation uning one defibrillator

Interventions

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Double sequential defibirllation

A second defibrillator will be applyed with electrodes placed in the A-P position and defibrillation will be performed with two defibrllators in a sequential manner

Intervention Type DEVICE

Standard defibrillation

Standard defibrillation uning one defibrillator

Intervention Type DEVICE

Other Intervention Names

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DSD

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* OHCA patients with VT/VF at first rhythm analysis and at least one defibrillation performed in standard (A-L) position

Exclusion Criteria

* Age \< 18 years
* Obvious pregnancy
* Known preexisting Do Not Attempt Resuscitation order
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Swedish Heart Lung Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Region Stockholm

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

Vastra Gotaland Region

OTHER_GOV

Sponsor Role collaborator

Region Halland

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Laerdal Foundation

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Gabriel Riva

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Gabriel Riva

Principal Investigator

Responsibility Role SPONSOR_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Gabriel Riva, M.D. Ph.D.

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Center for resuscitation Science. Department of clinical sience and education. Södersjukhuset, Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Akil Awad, M.D. Ph.D.

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Center for resuscitation Science. Department of clinical sience and education. Södersjukhuset, Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Carl Magnusson, R.N., Ph.D.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Shalgrenska University Hospital

Andreas Claesson, R.N. Ph.D.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Center for resuscitation Science. Department of clinical sience and education. Södersjukhuset, Karolinksa Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Johan Israelsson, R.N. Ph.D.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

ICARE, Department of Health and Caring Sciences, Linnaeus University

Locations

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Ambulanssjukvården, Region Halland

Halmstad, Halland County, Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Ambulanssjukvården Region Värmland

Karlstad, Värmland County, Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Sjukvården i väster

Alingsås, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Emergency medical services, Södra Älvsborgs Sjukhus, Region Västra Götaland

Borås, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Prehospital Intensive Care Unit (PIV) AnOPIVA Östra Sjukhuset/SU

Gothenburg, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Shalgrenska University Hospital

Gothenburg, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Ambulanssjukvården Skaraborgs Sjukhus, Västra Götalandsregionen (SKAS)

Skövde, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Emergency medical services NU-Sjukvården, Region Västra Götaland

Trollhättan, , Sweden

Site Status RECRUITING

Countries

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Sweden

Central Contacts

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Gabriel Riva, M.D. Ph.D

Role: CONTACT

+ 47 70 545 20 86

Akil Awad, M.D. Ph.D.

Role: CONTACT

(+46) 070 400 13 63

Facility Contacts

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Kristoffer Wibring, R.N., Ph.D.

Role: primary

(+46) 076 721 40

Linus Lilja, M.D. Ph.D.

Role: primary

(46+) 010-83 157 16

Andreas Claesson, R.N. Ph.D.

Role: primary

(+46) 0704940546

Emil Bergerum, R.N.

Role: primary

0046 (0)33 - 616 10 00

Patrik Martner, M.D.

Role: primary

(+46) 070 485 77 52

Carl Magnusson, R.N. Ph.D.

Role: primary

Per Wennberg, R.N. Ph.D.

Role: primary

0046 70 545 20 86

Carl Magnusson, R.N. Ph.D.

Role: primary

0046 (0)10-435 10 35

Other Identifiers

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Dnr 2025-03532-01

Identifier Type: OTHER

Identifier Source: secondary_id

CIV-ID-25-01-051015

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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