RecruitingOBSERVATIONAL

Brain Heart InterActioNs in Cardiac Arrest. Ancillary Study of the HEAVENwARd Trial

When someone has a cardiac arrest, their brain can be damaged due to lack of oxygen. While doctors try their best, it's often hard to tell how well a person will recover, from mild memory problems to not waking up. This study, called 'Brain Heart InterActioNs in Cardiac Arrest' (BHIANCA), wants to find new ways to predict recovery. It will look closely at how the brain and heart communicate with each other after a cardiac arrest. By measuring electrical signals from both organs, researchers hope to understand more about brain damage and find better ways to predict who will get better and who might have lasting problems.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Sponsor

CMC Ambroise Paré

Enrolment target

200

Start

25 Nov 2024

Estimated completion

15 Dec 2027

Cardiac Arrest

What is this study about?

For many people who survive a cardiac arrest, their brain can be damaged because it didn't get enough oxygen during the event. This damage can range from minor memory issues to more serious problems like being in a coma. Currently, doctors use several methods to try and figure out how well a patient might recover, but it's still very difficult to give clear answers for many people.

This study, called BHIANCA, is trying to find new and better ways to predict how people will recover after a cardiac arrest. It focuses on the close connection between the brain and the heart. Even in healthy people, these two organs are constantly talking to each other, largely through the nervous system. After a cardiac arrest, this communication might be disrupted, and the study believes that understanding these changes could give important clues about how the brain is affected and what a patient's long-term outlook might be.

Researchers will be looking at electrical signals from the brain and heart at the same time, using tests like an EEG (for brain activity) and an ECG (for heart activity). By studying how these signals interact, they hope to identify patterns that can show the severity of brain injury and predict whether someone is more likely to make a good recovery or face lasting challenges. This research is important because it could lead to better tools for doctors to assess patients and potentially even inform future treatments.

Key takeaways

This study investigates how the brain and heart interact after cardiac arrest.
It aims to find new ways to predict how well patients will recover.
Data from routine brain (EEG) and heart (ECG) tests will be used.
No extra tests or treatments are involved for participants.
Findings could help future patients with cardiac arrest.
You can withdraw from the study at any time without affecting your care.

Who may be eligible?

You might be able to take part in this study if you've recently had a cardiac arrest, meaning your heart stopped, and you've been brought back to life.

To be included, you would need to be in intensive care and in a coma, meaning you're not fully awake, even after being resuscitated. You would also be receiving special care to manage your body temperature and have an EEG and ECG test as part of your usual medical care.

However, you wouldn't be able to participate if doctors have decided to withdraw life support, if you have an abnormal heart rhythm that isn't regular, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you are under special protection by law, such as a guardianship. If your close family or trusted person, or you yourself (if able to communicate), don't want to participate, then you would also not be included.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have you recently had a cardiac arrest?
Are you currently in intensive care and in a coma?
Are you having EEG and ECG tests as part of your usual care?
Are you not pregnant or breastfeeding?
Have doctors not decided to limit your life support?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

This study is an 'ancillary' study, meaning it uses information collected during another larger study (the HEAVENwARd study) which you would already be participating in. If you meet the criteria for both studies, the researchers would simply use the information from your brain (EEG) and heart (ECG) scans that were already planned as part of your standard medical care in the intensive care unit. This means you wouldn't need any extra tests, medication, or follow-up appointments specifically for the BHIANCA study. Your total involvement would be passive, as the researchers would just be looking at the data from tests you're already having.

Potential risks and benefits

Because this study only uses information from tests that are already part of your routine medical care after a cardiac arrest, there are no additional risks involved for you. You won't undergo any extra procedures or receive any new treatments. The potential benefit is that the findings from this study could help doctors in the future to better understand and predict recovery for other patients who experience a cardiac arrest. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, which means your existing data would not be used further for research purposes, without affecting your medical care.

Locations (5)

Brest University Hospital
Verified postcode
Brest, France· Recruiting
Nantes University Hospital
Verified postcode
Nantes, France· Recruiting
Marseille University Hospital
Verified postcode
Marseille, France· Recruiting
Ambroise Paré - Hartmann Private Hospital Group
Verified postcode
Neuilly-sur-Seine, France· Recruiting
Cochin Hospital
Verified postcode
Paris, France· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a cardiac arrest?

A cardiac arrest is when your heart suddenly stops beating, causing blood flow to the brain and other organs to stop.

What does 'coma' mean?

A coma is a deep state of unconsciousness where a person can't be woken up and doesn't respond to their surroundings.

What are EEG and ECG tests?

An EEG measures electrical activity in your brain, while an ECG measures the electrical activity of your heart. Both involve placing sensors on your body.

Will taking part affect my medical treatment?

No, taking part in this study will not change your medical treatment since it only involves looking at information from tests you're already having.

Who is funding this research?

The information provided does not specify the funding source for this particular study.

How to find out more

Sarah BENGHANEM, MD

sarah.benghanem@aphp.fr 01 58 41 25 33 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.