CAIRO WPC: PROXY: Post ROSC OXYgenation Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Cluster randomised comparison of the effectiveness of 100% oxygen versus titrated oxygen in patients with a sustained return of spontaneous circulation following out of hospital cardiac arrest: a feasibility study.
IRAS ID
152286
Contact name
J Benger
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, days
Research summary
When a person’s heart stops beating (they have a cardiac arrest) paramedics give patients the maximum amount of oxygen (100% oxygen). The patients’ oxygen level is measured using a probe that goes on the finger and measures the amount of oxygen in the blood as a percentage. If paramedics are successful in restarting the patient’s heart, current UK paramedic practice guidelines state that oxygen should be given to achieve a target saturation in the region of 94-98%.
Historically paramedics have given the maximum possible amount of oxygen to patients after a return of a heart beat following cardiac arrest, but it is possible that using less oxygen would improve the survival rate, hence the change in guidelines for paramedics during 2013. Audit data indicates that paramedics are not complying with these guidelines all of the time. In addition, expert opinion is divided and there is no quality evidence to inform practice.
The aim of this study is to decide whether it is possible to complete a successful feasibility study which could lead onto a much larger study of oxygen following out of hospital cardiac arrest. The study will involve dividing paramedics working for the South Western Ambulance Service into two groups. One group will be trained to administer 100% oxygen and the other group will be trained to administer oxygen that is adjusted according to the patient’s measured oxygen levels for one hour following the return of a heart beat. Once the patient reaches hospital the treatment will continue until one hour has passed since the heart re-started.
Data will be collected on patient survival and treatment in hospital. If patients survive to discharge from hospital they will be approached to see whether they would be happy to complete quality of life questionnaires then, and again 3 months later.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/SC/1269
Date of REC Opinion
29 Oct 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion