Ketamine Sedation as a Brain Protecting Treatment After Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest The KETOHCA Trial Comparing Esketamine and Propofol Sedation

What this Trial Is About

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a serious medical emergency often causing brain injury due to lack of oxygen. Despite improvements in resuscitation, survivors frequently face poor neurological outcomes. This phase 2 trial investigates whether ketamine, a sedative with potential brain-protective effects, can improve outcomes compared to the commonly used sedative propofol in OHCA patients. Participants will receive either esketamine hydrochloride or propofol before hospital arrival. Esketamine is given as an intravenous or intraosseous bolus at a minimum dose of 0.5 mg/kg, while propofol is administered similarly at a minimum dose of 0.25 mg/kg. The study compares these two sedation methods to evaluate their effects on brain protection after cardiac arrest. During the study, researchers will measure neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a marker of brain injury, 48 hours after the cardiac arrest. Participants' neurological outcomes and safety will be monitored to assess the treatments' impact. The trial focuses on adults who have had a resuscitated cardiac arrest with a shockable rhythm and meet specific blood pressure and clinical criteria.

Ketamine Sedation As Neuroprotective Agent Following Out-of-hospital Cardiac Arrest