Abdominal Aortic Tourniquet Application for Non-Traumatic Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
Austria5 participantsStarted 2026-08
Plain-language summary
The aim of the study is to investigate whether occluding the abdominal aorta with an external device could be a potential therapeutic option in cases of non-traumatic cardiac arrest occurring outside of a hospital.
In cardiac arrest, the heart suddenly stops beating, causing the circulation of blood to collapse. In this situation, vital organs-especially the brain and the heart itself-are no longer adequately supplied with oxygen. Without immediate treatment, severe damage or death occurs within minutes.
The study therefore examines a specific intervention: the temporary occlusion of the abdominal aorta, which carries blood to the lower regions of the body. If this artery is blocked for a short period, the available blood can be redirected more effectively to the upper parts of the body. In theory, this could improve the oxygen supply to these organs and increase the likelihood that the heart will resume beating or that neurological damage can be reduced.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Cardiac arrest with indication for initiation of resuscitation
* Age ≥ 18 years
Exclusion Criteria:
* Pregnancy (suspected or confirmed)
* Age \< 18 years
* Abdominal circumference does not allow application of the AAJT
* Traumatic etiology
* Planned eCPR or other intervention in which study inclusion would delay the standard of care
* Known abdominal aortic aneurysm
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial is testing a device called an abdominal aortic and junctional tourniquet — can you explain what that is, how it would be applied during a cardiac arrest, and why researchers think it might help in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest situations?
2The trial is measuring how quickly the tourniquet can be fully inflated — what does that tell us about where this research stands, and does that mean we don't yet have safety or survival data from using this device in cardiac arrest patients?
3Since this trial isn't recruiting yet, what standard treatments are currently available for the types of cardiac arrest it targets — like asystole, pulseless electrical activity, and ventricular fibrillation — and how do those options compare to what this experimental approach might eventually offer?
4Given that this study is listed as Phase NA, which often applies to device or procedural studies rather than drug trials, what does that mean for how much is already known about the risks of using an abdominal tourniquet during cardiac arrest resuscitation?
5If this trial becomes relevant down the line, what would participation actually involve for a patient or their emergency responders, and are there any concerns about how this kind of intervention fits into standard CPR and emergency protocols?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Time from initiation of AAJT application to complete inflation