DOuble SEquential External Defibrillation for Refractory VF Pilot Study (DOSE-VF)

Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

Status: Completed

Conditions: Ventricular Fibrillation

Treatments: Procedure: Double-sequential defibrillation; Procedure: Vector change defibrillation

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT03249948

DOSE-VF-PILOT

Details and patient eligibility

About

Despite significant advances in resuscitation efforts, there are some patients who remain in refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Double sequential external defibrillation (DSED) and vector change defibrillation have been proposed as a viable option for patients in refractory VF. This pilot cluster randomized trial will compare (1) continued resuscitation using standard defibrillation; (2) resuscitation involving DSED; or (3) resuscitation involving vector change defibrillation, in patients presenting with refractory VF during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. The results of this pilot study will provide critical data for planning a larger, adequately powered multi-site randomized controlled trial to clinically evaluate DSED and vector change defibrillation compared to standard therapy for patients in refractory VF.

Full description

Double sequential external defibrillation (DSED) and vector change defibrillation have been proposed as viable options for patients in refractory ventricular fibrillation (VF) during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. However, currently there is insufficient evidence to support a widespread implementation of this therapy. As such, a well-designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) employing a standardized approach to alternative defibrillation strategies early in the treatment of refractory VF is required to determine whether these treatments may impact clinical outcomes. This pilot cluster randomized trial will be conducted in the regions of Peel, Halton, Simcoe, and the city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada over a one year period of time. All adult (≥ 18 years) patients presenting in refractory VF (defined as patients presenting in VF and remaining in VF after three consecutive standard defibrillation attempts each separated by 2 minutes of CPR) during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac etiology will be assigned to be treated by one of three strategies: (1) continued resuscitation using standard defibrillation; (2) resuscitation involving DSED (two defibrillators, one using anterior-posterior pad placement and the second using anterior- anterior pad placement delivering two rapid sequential shocks for all subsequent defibrillation attempts, ± antiarrythmic use and epinephrine as per current provincial standard); or (3) resuscitation involving vector change (change of defibrillation pads from anterior-anterior to an anterior-posterior pad position) defibrillation. The cluster units will be defined by emergency medical service (EMS) agency and each cluster will crossover at three times during the trial so that each agency will spend 4 months in each arm of the study. Outcomes of interest will include return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), termination of VF after the first interventional shock, termination of VF inclusive of all interventional shocks, and number of defibrillation attempts to obtain ROSC. The primary objectives of the pilot study are to determine the feasibility and required sample size of a full-scale RCT in this population.

Enrollment: 173 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• ≥18 years of age, non-traumatic cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac etiology, presenting rhythm to EMS of ventricular fibrillation; no ROSC or non VF rhythm after three consecutive EMS shocks.

Exclusion criteria

• Traumatic cardiac arrest, patients with pre-existing do not resuscitate orders, presumed pregnancy, patients in recurrent ventricular fibrillation (defined as those with a secondary presentation of VF (not the presenting rhythm) or those presenting in VF but did not receive three consecutive defibrillation attempts).

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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173 participants in 3 patient groups

Standard defibrillation

No Intervention group

Description:

All defibrillation attempts will occur using the standard defibrillation method, i.e. defibrillation pads will be placed in the anterior-anterior configuration. The patient may also be administered antiarrythmic agents and epinephrine, as per current provincial standard.

Vector change defibrillation

Other group

Description:

The first three shocks will occur with defibrillation pads placed in the anterior-anterior position. All further shocks will occur with the pads placed in the anterior-posterior position. The patient may also be administered antiarrythmic agents and epinephrine, as per current provincial standard.

Treatment:

Procedure: Vector change defibrillation

Double-sequential defibrillation

Other group

Description:

The first three shocks will occur with defibrillation pads placed in the anterior-anterior position. For all further shocks, a second set of defibrillation pads (via a second on scene EMS or fire defibrillator) will be applied in the anterior-posterior position, and defibrillation will be carried out by sequential defibrillation shocks provided by the two defibrillators (i.e. with a short delay between the two defibrillators). The patient may also be administered antiarrythmic agents and epinephrine, as per current provincial standard.

Treatment:

Procedure: Double-sequential defibrillation