| Title: |
Emergency total extracorporeal life support versus standard advanced cardiac life support with rescue extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: protocol for the ECLS-OHCA randomized trial |
| Authors: |
Hsun-Yi Fu; Yuan-Hung Liu; Shao-Jung Li; Heng-Chia Chang; Chun-Chieh Liu; Chi-Ming Lee; Chunn-Yao Huang; Chin-Wang Hsu; Chow-In Ko; Yi-Chih Wang; Wei-Tien Chang; Ta-Jung Wang; Jiann-Ruey Ong; Jen-Tang Sun; Jer-Shen Chen; Chan-Yang Hsu; Shih-Jung Jang; Yu-Long Chen; Yih-Hsin Lin; Chen-Yen Chien; Yu-Chung Kung; Tzong-Luen Wang; Hao-Chun Yu; Chaun-Chih Hsu; Chun-Chien Chao; Chih-Wei Chen; Chien-Yi Hsu; Shih-Chang Hsu; Te-I. Chang; Jong-Shiuan Yeh; Min-Shan Tsai; Ling-Yi Wei; Heng-Wen Chou; Chih-Hsien Wang; Chin-Hao Chang; Chi-Ling Chen; Yong-Kwang Tu; Jiunn-Lee Lin; Yih-Sharng Chen |
| Source: |
Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, Vol 34, Iss 1 (2026) |
| Publisher Information: |
BMC |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
Directory of Open Access Journals: DOAJ Articles |
| Subject Terms: |
Extracorporeal life support; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest; Randomized clinical trial; Refractory cardiac arrest; Shockable rhythm; Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid; RC86-88.9 |
| Description: |
Background Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a time-sensitive emergency associated with high mortality and substantial risk of neurological disability. Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been introduced for refractory cardiac arrest, but recent randomized controlled trials have reported conflicting results, and the benefit of ECPR implemented according to rigorously timed protocols remains uncertain. Aim This trial evaluates whether emergency total extracorporeal life support (ECLS), with emphasis on expedited cannulation and active left ventricular (LV) unloading, improves 30-day survival with favourable neurological outcome compared with standard advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) with rescue ECLS in adults with refractory shockable out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Design, setting, and participants This is a prospective, investigator-initiated, multicenter, open-label randomized clinical trial conducted in eight experienced extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) centers in the Taipei metropolitan area. Eligible adults aged 18–75 years with witnessed refractory shockable OHCA (ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia) who received bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) are randomized 1:1 on emergency department (ED) arrival. Interventions Participants are assigned to: (1) emergency total ECLS, with initiation as soon as possible after randomization and within 60 min of the emergency call, or (2) standard ACLS with rescue ECLS, in which at least 15 min of standard ACLS is provided in the ED before ECLS is considered. Both groups receive immediate coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when indicated, and active LV unloading is recommended according to prespecified criteria. Primary endpoint Survival at 30 days with favorable neurological status, defined as a Cerebral Performance Category score of 1 or 2. Conclusion The ECLS-OHCA trial will provide complementary ... |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-026-01557-w; https://doaj.org/toc/1757-7241; https://doaj.org/article/5f14edb1f9904a6e9ad21a740b49c13c |
| DOI: |
10.1186/s13049-026-01557-w |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13049-026-01557-w; https://doaj.org/article/5f14edb1f9904a6e9ad21a740b49c13c |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.99D651A4 |
| Database: |
BASE |