Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author s. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author s and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. The high incidence of morbidity and mortality associated with the post-cardiac arrest CA period highlights the need for novel therapeutic interventions to improve the outcome of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest OHCA patients admitted to the intensive care unit ICU.
The aim of this study is to assess the ability of high-dose intravenous vitamin C Vit-C to improve post-CA shock. The primary endpoint is the cumulative incidence of vasopressor withdrawal at 72 hours after enrolment, with death considered as a competing event. The main secondary endpoints are neurological outcome, mortality due to refractory shock, vasopressor-free days and organ failure monitored by the sequential organ failure assessment score.
Due to the short enrolment period to avoid any delay in treatment, the EC approved the study inclusion before informed consent was obtained. As soon as possible, patient and their relative will be asked for their deferred informed consent.
The data from the study will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. A weight-adjusted dose of intravenous vitamin C will be compared with standard-of-care in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients requiring vasopressors. Comprehensive data collection will allow the analysis of vasopressor withdrawal and clinical outcomes, such as organ dysfunction or neurological outcome.
Haemodynamic management will be standardised in both arms to avoid variability on the primary endpoint. The management of the post-cardiac arrest CA period remains a challenging issue among patients admitted to the intensive care unit ICU following an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest OHCA , despite advancements in postresuscitation care. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species ROS during the reperfusion period induces oxidative stress, which is a key component of the post-CA syndrome.
