Early Initiation of Extracorporeal Life Support in Refractory OHCA (INCEPTION)

Despite adequate conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR) and attempted defibrillation, a considerable number of patients in cardiac arrest fail to achieve sustained return of spontaneous circulation. The INCEPTION trial is a multicenter, randomized controlled trial that will explore extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) in patients in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) presenting with ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia. It aims to determine the effect on survival and neurological outcome. Additionally, it will evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of ECPR.

There are approximately 275,000 cases of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) per year in Europe, of which two-thirds have a primary cardiac origin. However, despite adequate conventional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CCPR) and attempted defibrillation, a considerable number of these patients fail to achieve sustained return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). Treatment of the underlying cause of the arrest, in most cases coronary artery occlusion, is paramount. But in the absence of ROSC, the possibilities to perform these life-saving interventions are limited. Continued CCPR is currently the standard of care for these patients. Initiation of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR) restores circulation, with the potential to minimize (or even reversing) organ damage, prevent re-arrest due to ischemia-triggered myocardial dysfunction and providing a bridge to possible diagnosis and treatment. Several studies have demonstrated that ECPR is feasible and may be advantageous with respect to survival and neurological outcome. The INCEPTION trial aims to compare ECPR to CCPR in the population that is expected to benefit the most from this intervention: young patients presenting with ventricular fibrillation or tachycardia (VF/VT) and a refractory cardiac arrest. Furthermore, it will provide data on the cost-effectiveness of this intervention, which to date has been unavailable. Although the costs may prove to be high, the gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALY's) may be substantial given the fact that most patients are relatively young and the current alternative carries a poor prognosis. This can determine whether ECPR should be pursued as a standard of care in patients with refractory arrest.

ECPR, Extracorporeal CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, OHCA, Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest, CPR, CardioPulmonary Resuscitation, ECMO, ExtraCorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Refractory Cardiac Arrest

Preclinical Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by emergency medical services (EMS) and rapid transport to the emergency department with ongoing mechanical CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Clinical Upon the patient's arrival, the standard of care (CCPR) will be continued according to ERC guidelines. No special preparations for the trial are needed before the patient's arrival.

Preclinical Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by emergency medical services (EMS) and transport to the emergency department with ongoing mechanical CPR and advanced cardiac life support (ACLS). Clinical The ECPR team is mobilized while the patient is transported to the hospital. Initiation of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR). Time from arrest to start of cannulation is < 60 minutes.

In addition to the routine response team, the ECLS team are called to the ED while the patient is transported to the hospital. The team consists of a physician skilled and qualified in femoral cannulation, a perfusionist and a scrub nurse. Upon the patient's arrival at the emergency department, CPR will be continued, with continuation of mechanical chest compressions with minimization of interruptions. Time from arrest to start of cannulation is < 60 minutes.

Does ECPR improve the neurological outcome at 30 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months on the CPC scale

Does ECPR improve the amount of Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALY's) at 30 days, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months

Is there a difference in metabolic markers such as (1) pH, (2) etCO2, (3) ScVO2 and (4) lactate at arrival at the ED, right after initialization of circulation (either by ROSC or ECPR), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after return of circulation and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days after the OHCA between the treatment groups

Is there a difference in metabolic markers such as (1) pH, (2) etCO2, (3) ScVO2 and (4) lactate at arrival at the ED, right after initialization of circulation (either by ROSC or ECPR), 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after return of circulation and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 days after the OHCA between the survivors and non-survivors

Inclusion Criteria: ≥18 - ≤70 years Witnessed OHCA (by bystanders) Initial rhythm of VF/VT or AED administered Bystander BLS Exclusion Criteria: ROSC within 15 minutes of conventional CPR with sustained hemodynamic recovery Terminal heart failure (NYHA III or IV) Severe pulmonary disease (COPD GIII of GIV) Disseminated oncological disease Obvious or suspected pregnancy Bilateral femoral bypass surgery Known contraindications for ECPR Known pre-arrest CPC-score of 3 or 4 Known limitations in therapy or a Do Not Resuscitate-order Multitrauma (Injury Severity Score >15) Expected time-to-start cannulation > 60 minutes

Bol ME, Suverein MM, Lorusso R, Delnoij TSR, Brandon Bravo Bruinsma GJ, Otterspoor L, Kuijpers M, Lam KY, Vlaar APJ, Elzo Kraemer CV, van der Heijden JJ, Scholten E, Driessen AHG, Montero Cabezas JM, Rittersma SZH, Heijnen BG, Taccone FS, Essers B, Delhaas T, Weerwind PW, Roekaerts PMHJ, Maessen JG, van de Poll MCG. Early initiation of extracorporeal life support in refractory out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: Design and rationale of the INCEPTION trial. Am Heart J. 2019 Apr;210:58-68. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2018.12.008. Epub 2018 Dec 14.