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CardioPulmonary Resuscitation With Argon (CPAr) Trial

CardioPulmonary Resuscitation With Argon (CPAr) Trial

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05482945
Acronym
CPAr
Enrollment
120
Registered
2022-08-01
Start date
2022-05-30
Completion date
2026-06-30
Last updated
2025-09-17

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Cardiac Arrest, Out-Of-Hospital, Cardiac Arrest With Successful Resuscitation

Keywords

Cardiac arrest; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Argon.

Brief summary

Preclinical studies suggest that argon (Ar) might diminish the neurological and myocardial damage after any hypoxic-ischemic insult. Indeed, Ar has been tested in different models of ischemic insult, at concentrations ranging from 20% up to 80%. Overall, Ar emerged as a protective agent on cells, tissues and organs, showing less cell death, reduced infarct size and faster functional recovery. More specifically, encouraging data has been reported in animal studies on cardiac arrest (CA) in which a better and faster neurological recovery was achieved when Ar was used in the post-resuscitation ventilation. More importantly, these benefits have been replicated in different studies, enrolling both small and large animals. Finally, ventilation with Ar in O2 has been demonstrated to be safe both in animals and humans. Based on this evidence, a clinical translation is advocated. Thus, the CardioPulmonary resuscitation with Argon - CPAr trial has been conceived. The trial initially started as phase I-II trial to specifically address the question about the safety of the post resuscitation Ar-treatment. The available data on the first 30 randomized patients, evaluated by the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), were considered absolutely reassuring with regard to the safety of the experimental treatment. In this perspective, the DSMB supported the continuation of the study as a phase II trial, maintaining the study protocol in all its aspects. Thus, the aim of the CPAr trial is now to evaluate efficacy in reducing post-CA neurological injury of Ar/O2 ventilation in patients resuscitated from CA.

Detailed description

The trial is a multicenter, randomized, controlled, single blinded, phase II and pre marketing study in patients resuscitated from Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). All eligible patients will be treated in full and documented compliance with the European ResuscitationCouncil (ERC)/European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (international guidelines and local post resuscitation protocols). In addition, a randomized assignment ensures a strict comparability for both the periods of data collection of safety end-points (to be assessed blindly by the events Committee): the four hours of duration of study treatment, and the longer period of possibly related clinical events during 6 months follow up.

Interventions

DRUGNoble gas Argon

Ventilation with Ar 70%/O2 30% in comatose patients resuscitated from OHCA with the use of an experimental mechanical ventilator.

Sponsors

Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)

Intervention model description

The intervention (Ar/O2 or standard ventilation) is assigned to the patient using a centrally generated randomization plan, balanced by centre.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* ICU admission after resuscitation from witnessed non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) of presumably cardiac etiology with a presenting shockable rhythm; * age ≥ 18 years; * unconsciousness after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC); * duration of CPR ≤ 40 mins; * initiation of study intervention ≤ 4 hrs from ROSC; * stable SaO2 ≥ 94% with a FiO2 of 30%.

Exclusion criteria

* Non-witnessed CA; * CA of traumatic origin or from a non-presumably cardiac cause; * CA with a non-shockable presenting rhythm (pulseless electrical activity and asystole); * female of childbearing potential defined as younger of 50 years; * pregnancy; * known terminal illness; * pre-CA cerebral performance category (CPC) ≥ 3; * initiation of the study intervention \> 4 hrs from ROSC; * participation to another clinical trial

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Neuronal preservation48 hoursEfficacy of Argon treatment in reducing post-CA neurological injury, assessed as 48hr serum concentration of the Neuron Specific Enolase (NSE), an established biomarker of brain injury.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Brain injury96 hoursAr effect on brain injury is assessed through MRI (imaging) if patient remains comatose
SurvivalICU discharge (assessed up to 7 days), 1-month, 6 monthsEffect of argon on survival after cardiac arrest (days)
Myocardial preservationUp to 96 hoursAr effect on myocardial protection is assessed through measure of hs-cTnT release
Multiorgan functionUp to 96 hoursMultiorgan function is assessed through the evaluation of sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA). The score sequentially assesses the presence and severity of dysfunctions in six organ systems: respiratory, cardiovascular, coagulation, hepatic, neurological and renal scoring 0 to 4 points per each one of the following: PaO2-fiO2 ratio; Mean arterial pressure (mmHg) or vasoactive treatment; Creatinine (mg/dL) or 24-h diuresis (ml/24h); Platelet count (x103/mm3); Serum bilirubin (mg/dL); Glasgow coma scale The following markers are also assessed: transaminases (UI/L) Pancreatic amilase, lipase (UI/L)
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events1 monthThe incidence, the timing, and the duration of the need to stop Ar 70% treatment in order to maintain the SPO2\> 90%. The incidence of potentially Ar-attributable hemodynamic adverse events (i.e. arterial hypotension not responsive to fluids and/or vasoactive/inotropic drugs).
Neurological recoveryICU discharge (assessed up to 7 days), 1-month, 6 monthsNeurological functional recovery is assessed with the CPC score

Countries

Italy

Contacts

Primary ContactGiulia Merigo, MSc
giulia.merigo@unimi.it+39 0250320463
Backup ContactAntonella Vasamì
antonella.vasami@marionegri.it+39 02390141

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026