Brain and Heart Interactions in Comatose Patients After Cardiac Arrest Ancillary Study of the HEAVENwARd Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying patients who have experienced cardiac arrest and survived after restoration of spontaneous circulation ROSC. Despite advances in care, many survivors suffer brain damage ranging from mild cognitive issues to severe vegetative states. This study focuses on exploring the interactions between the brain and heart, particularly how abnormalities in these interactions might predict neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. The study is an observational ancillary study of the HEAVENwARd trial. The study includes patients admitted to intensive care after cardiac arrest who are in a coma and undergoing routine EEG with ECG lead recordings for neuroprognostication. It evaluates the prevalence and prognostic value of bilateral brain-heart interactions using synchronous EEG and ECG recordings. The main measurement is brain-heart interactions at day 28, with secondary outcomes including neurological outcomes, mortality, and severity of brain injury assessed by multiple markers. Participants will be monitored during their ICU stay with EEG and ECG recordings, and data will be collected to assess brain-heart coupling and neurological status. The research team will review patient outcomes at 28 days, including neurological function and survival. This study aims to improve understanding of brain-heart dysfunction after cardiac arrest and its potential role in predicting patient prognosis.

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