Femoral Artery Ultrasound With Compressibility Assessment as a Method for Pulse Checks in Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Prospective Exploratory Study

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating a new way to check for a pulse during out-of-hospital cardiac arrests using B-mode ultrasound with arterial compressibility assessment on the femoral artery. This method will be compared with the usual manual pulse checks performed by emergency medical services (EMS). The study aims to find out if ultrasound can help identify pulses more effectively during resuscitation efforts. The study involves a research team using a portable ultrasound device to image the femoral artery during rhythm checks in cardiac arrest patients treated by EMS outside the hospital. Ultrasound pulse checks are done alongside the regular manual pulse checks, only when they do not interfere with patient care. All treatment decisions remain with the EMS team managing the patient's resuscitation. Participants are observed during the cardiac arrest event, with up to 45 minutes of pulse checks using both ultrasound and manual methods. The study records the results of these pulse checks, arterial compressibility during chest compressions and rhythm checks, arterial pulsatility, and the time taken to perform ultrasound pulse checks. These detailed measurements help compare the two pulse check methods while ensuring patient treatment is not disrupted.

Pulse Checks Using Femoral Artery B-Mode Ultrasound With Compressibility Assessment