Cardiopulmonary resuscitation research study may change the way CPR is delivered

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, the University of Michigan Hospital, Huron Valley Ambulance, Livingston County Ambulance and all emergency medical service (EMS) providers in the Washtenaw/Livingston EMS system, are conducting a research study to evaluate the effectiveness of two investigational biomedical devices that may change the way cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is delivered. The two investigational devices are called ResQPOD and ResQPump and preliminary studies indicate that these devices improve blood flow during CPR, which may improve survival after cardiac arrest.

The lead research institution on this study is St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. Researchers will compare survival rates and neurological outcome in patients with cardiac arrest receiving conventional CPR, to patients with cardiac arrest receiving conventional CPR along with the use of the ResQPOD and ResQPump.

“Initial studies indicate the devices improve blood flow during CPR and may improve survival,” says Dr. Robert Domeier, emergency medicine physician at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, medical director for the Washtenaw/Livingston Medical Control Authority and lead researcher in the study. “This is an important study to participate in because it may provide important information necessary for FDA approval of a better method of caring for members of our community experiencing cardiac arrest.”

Because it is not possible to obtain informed consent from people who are in cardiac arrest, this study meets the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's requirements for an exception from informed consent for emergency research. This type of research has been allowed since 1996 under a ruling called “exception from informed consent” or EFIC. It allows research without the standard requirement that before patients can be enrolled in a randomized study, they or their representatives must give “informed consent.” This type of study offers an important opportunity to expand treatment options for patients in cardiac arrest.

In order to protect patients' rights and safety, this study will receive special scrutiny and oversight from the participating institutions' research review boards. In addition, members of the public will be able to get information and give input on the study before it begins. Three community consultation meetings will be held: Aug. 20 at the Ann Arbor District Library - Downtown Branch from 6-8 p.m.; Aug. 22 in Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital's community rooms from 7-9 p.m. in Howell; and Aug. 23 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital's education center auditorium in Ypsilanti from 7-9 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend any of these informational meetings.

Local Hospitals expected to participate in the study include St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, the University of Michigan Health System, Saint Joseph Mercy Saline Hospital, Saint Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital and Chelsea Community Hospital.

EMS providers participating in the study include: Huron Valley Ambulance, Livingston County Ambulance, Stockbridge Ambulance, and fire departments in Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Township, Augusta Township, Brighton, Chelsea, Dexter, Fenton, Fenton Township, Fowlerville, Green Oak Township, Hamburg Township, the Hartland/Deerfield/Tyrone Fire Authority, Howell, Lyon Township, Manchester, Milan, Northfield Township, Pittsfield Township, Putnam Township, Salem Township, Saline, Scio Township, South Lyon, Superior Township, Ypsilanti, Ypsilanti Township and Unadilla.

For more information about this ResQ study, please call the study coordinator, Jennifer Fowler, at 734-712-1316.

ResQ Study Frequently Asked Questions