12539 results for ""non-traditional+communal+storytelling+approach"+novel+segment+noted+in+critical+commentary"

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• Genetic Testing to Understand and Address Renal Disease Disparities

  People of African ancestry (Blacks) have increased risk of kidney failure due to numerous socioeconomic, environmental, and clinical factors. Two variants in the APOL1 gene (GeneID: 8542) are now thought to account for much of the racial disparity associated with hypertensive kidney failure in Blacks. One in 7 AAs carry this risk allele, but it is nearly absent in other populations; the variants protect against infection with African trypanosomiasis which is endemic to Africa. However, this knowledge has not been translated into clinical care to help improve patient outcomes and address disparities. It is unknown whether patient or clinician knowledge of genetic risk impacts patient care (i.e., renal surveillance, BP medication use/intensification) or outcomes such as BP control and CKD. GUARDD is a randomized trial to evaluate the effects and challenges of incorporating genetic risk information into primary care. Hypertensive, nondiabetic, adults with self-reported African ancestry, without kidney dysfunction, are recruited from diverse clinical settings and randomized to undergo APOL1 genetic testing at baseline (intervention) or at one year (waitlist control). Prior to enrolling their patients, providers are educated about genomics and APOL1. Guided by a genetic counselor, trained staff return APOL1 results to patients and provide low-literacy educational materials. Real-time clinical decision support tools alert clinicians of their patients' APOL1 results and associated risk status at the point of care. Our academic - community clinical partnership designed a study to generate information about the impact of genetic risk information on our primary outcome - patient care (renal surveillance by clinicians, of serum creatinine and/or urine albumin tests. with a sub-aim of reduction of systolic blood pressure). Secondary outcomes include impact on primary outcomes at 12 months, psycho-behavioral differences of patients between groups and over time, clinician knowledge, attitudes and beliefs at baseline and 12 months, and differences in outcomes between those tested and not tested. GUARDD will help establish the effective implementation of APOL1 risk informed management of hypertensive patients at high risk of CKD, and will provide a robust framework for future endeavors to implement genomic medicine in diverse clinical practices. It will also add to the important dialog about factors that contribute to and may help eliminate racial disparities in kidney disease.

  Study phs001620

• Overcoming Clinical Resistance to EZH2 Inhibition Using Rational Epigenetic Combination Therapy

  Essential epigenetic dependencies have become evident in many cancers. Based on functional antagonism between BAF/SWI/SNF and PRC2 in SMARCB1-deficient sarcomas, we and colleagues recently completed the clinical trial of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat, leading to its FDA approval. However, the principles of tumor response to epigenetic therapy in general and tazemetostat in particular remain unknown. Using functional genomics of patient tumors and diverse experimental models, we defined molecular mechanisms of tazemetostat resistance. We found distinct classes of acquired mutations that converge on the RB1/E2F axis, decoupling EZH2-dependent differentiation and cell cycle control. This allows tumor cells to escape tazemetostat-induced G1 arrest despite EZH2 inhibition and suggests a general mechanism for effective EZH2 therapy. Using RNA-sequencing of patient tumor specimens, we identified specific genes as markers of a deficient RB1/E2F axis, which we propose as prospective biomarkers for therapy stratification. This offers a paradigm for rational epigenetic combination therapy suitable for immediate translation to clinical trials.This study was performed on archived tumor tissue collected as part of the above clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Patient tumors were classified into "Response" or "Progression" groups based on RECIST 1.1 criteria. "Response" included tumors exhibiting a complete response, partial response, or stable disease. All other tumors were classified under the "Progression" group. Archived frozen tumor samples were weighed and up to 20-30mg were homogenized in RLT buffer, followed by extraction using the AllPrep DNA/RNA Mini Kit (QIAGEN catalog 80204) according to the manufacturer's instructions. RNA was eluted in 13 μL nuclease-free water. After RiboGreen quantification and quality control by Agilent BioAnalyzer, 1 μg of total RNA with DV200 percentages varying from 78% to 100% underwent ribosomal depletion and library preparation using the TruSeq Stranded Total RNA LT Kit (Illumina catalog RS-122-1202) according to instructions provided by the manufacturer with 8 cycles of PCR. Samples were barcoded and sequenced using NovaSeq 6000 in a PE150 mode, with the NovaSeq 6000 S4 Reagent Kit (Illumina). On average, 84 million paired reads were generated per sample and 70% of the data mapped to mRNA. For analysis, read adaptors were trimmed and quality filtered using 'trim_galore' and mapped to GRCh38/hg19 reference genome using STAR v2.7.9 with default parameters.

  Study phs003188

• Acute Respiratory Distress Network (ARDSNet) Studies 06 and 08 Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Trial of Aerosolized Albuterol Versus Placebo for the Treatment of Acute Lung Injury (ALTA) (ARDSNet-ALTA-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE: Please refer to the “Authorized Access” section below for information about how access to the data from this accession differs from many other dbGaP accessions. Biospecimens Access to Biospecimens is through the NHLBI Biologic Specimen and Data Repository Information Coordinating Center (BioLINCC). Biospecimens from ARDSNet-ALTA include Plasma, DNA, Urine, and BAL. Please note that use of biospecimens in genetic research is subject to a tiered consent. Objectives This clinical trial was designed to test the hypothesis that an aerosolized beta-2-agonist, albuterol, would improve clinical outcomes in participants with acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Background In participants with acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS), inflammation of the pulmonary circulation increases vascular permeability. Fluid leaks from blood vessels into the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli. Recovery from this form of acute respiratory failure requires that the pulmonary edema resolve. The resolution of alveolar edema is driven by active transport of sodium and chloride ions from the luminal space across both type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells, creating an osmotic gradient for the reabsorption of water. In the ex vivo human lung, the rate of alveolar fluid clearance can be doubled by treatment with a cyclic AMP beta-2 adrenergic receptor agonist. On the basis of the preclinical observations that treatment with beta-2-agonists could reduce pulmonary edema and accelerate the rate of alveolar fluid clearance, the ALTA study was designed and undertaken with the hypothesis that treatment of participants with ALI/ARDS with beta-agonist therapy would accelerate the resolution of alveolar edema and improve clinical outcomes. Participants There were 282 participants. Design Study staff conducted a multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which participants were randomized to receive aerosolized albuterol (5 mg) or saline placebo every 4 hours for up to 10 days. The primary outcome variable for the trial was ventilator-free days. Conclusions Ventilator-free days were not significantly different between the albuterol and placebo groups. The results suggest that aerosolized albuterol does not improve clinical outcomes in participants with ALI. Routine use of beta-2 agonist therapy in mechanically ventilated participants with ALI cannot be recommended (Matthay, et al., 2011, PMID: 21562125).

  Study phs003743

• Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) Proteogenomic Confirmatory Study of Breast, Colon, Lung, and Ovarian Tumors

  Recently, significant progress has been made in characterizing and sequencing the genomic alterations in statistically robust numbers of samples from several types of cancer. For example, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) and other similar efforts are identifying genomic alterations associated with specific cancers (e.g., copy number aberrations, rearrangements, point mutations, epigenomic changes, etc.). The availability of these multi-dimensional data to the scientific community sets the stage for the development of new molecularly targeted cancer interventions. Understanding the comprehensive functional changes in cancer proteomes arising from genomic alterations and other factors is the next logical step in the development of high-value candidate protein biomarkers. Hence, proteomics can greatly advance the understanding of molecular mechanisms of disease pathology via the analysis of changes in protein expression, their modifications and variations, as well as protein-protein interaction, signaling pathways and networks responsible for cellular functions such as apoptosis and oncogenesis. Realizing this great potential, the NCI launched the second phase of the CPTC initiative in September 2011. Renamed the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium, CPTAC is beginning to leverage its analytical outputs from Phase I to define cancer proteomes on genomically-characterized biospecimens. The purpose of this integrative approach is to provide the broad scientific community with knowledge that links genotype to proteotype and ultimately phenotype. The data contained in this dataset are derived from samples designed to confirm CPTAC findings from the TCGA samples. These confirmatory samples contain breast, ovarian, colon, and lung tumors collected via a protocol optimized for proteomics. Specifically, ischemic time of the sample was controlled and restricted to less than 30 minutes. ACGT, Inc. produced whole exome, mRNAseq, and miRNAseq for these samples. Corresponding proteomic data are available at: https://cptac-data-portal.georgetown.edu/cptacPublic/ The study design was to profile colon, breast, ovarian, and lung tumors both genomically and proteomically. Germline DNA was obtained from blood. Normal control samples for proteomics varied by organ site: adjacent colon tissue for colon cases, contralateral breast tissue for some breast cases, and Fallopian tube fimbria for some ovarian cases. Lung cases had no normal control for proteomic analysis. All cancer samples were derived from primary and untreated tumors.

  Study phs000892

• dbGaP Collection: Compilation of Individual-Level Genomic Data for General Research Use

  This dbGaP Collection contains all authorized individual-level genomic datasets currently in dbGaP that are approved for General Research Use (GRU) and have no further limitations beyond those outlined in the model Data Use Certification Agreement. Access to this study will include any additional authorized individual-level GRU datasets that become available. Renewal of this study is required annually. Data Included in this Study Individual-level genomic data designated for general research use with no further use limitations or restrictions, that is, Data use does not require approval by an Institutional Review Board for secondary analyses Data have no publication embargo Data have no other use limitations (e.g., requirement for collaboration or publication; restricted for use by academic or not-for-profit organizations; restricted to health, medical, and/or biomedical research) In response to requests from the scientific community, the NIH implemented a change in the procedures for accessing individual-level GRU genomic data. Under the modified procedures, interested investigators can request GRU individual-level genomic datasets with a single application. However, please note that these data have not been harmonized. Additionally, to help expedite the processing of requests for individual-level GRU genomic datasets, the requests will be reviewed by a single, central Data Access Committee. The process for requesting these datasets is identical to the request process for non-GRU individual-level, controlled-access data, such as the expectation that investigators will abide by the NIH Policy for Sharing of Data Obtained in NIH Supported or Conducted Genome-Wide Association Studies and Data Use Certification Agreement. Effective April 24, 2018, the Data Use Limitations (DUL) for the Genes and Blood Clotting Study (GABC) (phs000304) was updated to Health/Medical/Biomedical, Not-for-profit Use Only (HMB-NPU). Additionally, the submitting institutions have requested the removal of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) "Grand Opportunity" Exome Sequencing Project (GO-ESP) Lung Cohorts Exome Sequencing Project: Genetic modifiers of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) lung infection acquisition in cystic fibrosis (phs000254) from the dbGaP Compilation of Individual-Level Genomic Data for General Research Use (dbGaP Compilation) (phs000688). As such, data from studies phs000304 and phs000254 are no longer available as part of the dbGaP Compilation (phs000688). Investigators must submit separate Data Access Requests (DARs) for the two studies and be approved by the NHLBI Data Access Committee.

  Study phs000688

• Exome Sequencing of Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis

  Alcoholic hepatitis (AH) is a clinically severe, acute disease that only afflicts a fraction of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD). Although recent genomic studies of alcoholic cirrhosis (AC) and steatosis have revealed that several genes of large effect are shared between these disorders, the genetic and environmental sources of variation that lead to AH, AC or alcohol fatty liver disease (AFLD) in some AUD patients remain largely unknown. In order to investigate the genetic determinants of AH, we sequenced a 58 Mb exome target to high genotype accuracy (0.996) and completeness (0.941) in 1,735 patients with AH (N=784) and heavy drinking controls without alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) (N=951), detecting 1,085,982 unique single nucleotide variants (SNVs). Analysis of common SNPs that comprised 17.5% of those SNVs, we observed exome-wide significant association of PNPLA3 (rs738409-G allele: odds ratio [OR]=1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-2.08, p =3.75e-9), as had previously been seen for AH in candidate gene contexts, and as previously observed for PNPLA3 to AC and nonalcohol steatohepatitis in GWAS. Other genes previously implicated in AC did not strongly contribute to AH, and the only prominently implicated (but not exome wide significant) gene overlapping with AUD was ADH1B, also a known liver disease gene. However, SNPs at ICOSLG (Chr 21) and TOX4/RAB2B (Chr 14), were also exome-wide significant and of large effect-size (ICOSLG rs13052840-C allele: OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.39-2.02, p = 4.59e-8; TOX4/RAB2B rs17516362-C allele: OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.50-0.74, p=1.25e-7). ICOSLG encodes a co-stimulatory signal for T-cell proliferation and cytokine secretion and induces B-cell proliferation and differentiation, and thus could be tied to the inflammatory component of AH. TOX4 was previously implicated in diabetes and immune system and its linked SNP is a cis eQTL for TOX4 and RAB2B. A polygenic signal was visible on the exome-wide quantile-quantile graph, where there was modest p value inflation (lambda = 1.040). Ranking p values of all 18,705 genes evaluated versus a list of 227 genes objectively precompiled for relationship to liver diseases (via GWAS), we observed a strong (pThe data generated here also represents a resource that can be used cumulatively or meta-analytically with future datasets.

  Study phs003659

• Dissociation of solid tumour tissues with cold active protease for single-cell RNA-seq minimizes conserved collagenase-associated stress responses

  Background Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) is a powerful tool for studying complex biological systems, such as tumour heterogeneity and tissue microenvironments. However, the sources of technical and biological variation in primary solid tumour tissues and patient-derived mouse xenografts for scRNAseq, are not well understood. Here, we used low temperature (6°C) protease and collagenase (37°C) to identify the transcriptional signatures associated with tissue dissociation across a diverse scRNAseq dataset comprising 128,481 cells from patient cancer tissues, patient-derived breast cancer xenografts and cancer cell lines.Results We observe substantial variation in standard quality control (QC) metrics of cell viability across conditions and tissues. From FACS sorted populations gated for cell viability, we identify a sub-population of dead cells that would pass standard data filtering practices, and quantify the extent to which their transcriptomes differ from live cells. We identify a further subpopulation of transcriptomically “dying” cells that exhibit up-regulation of MHC class I transcripts, in contrast with live and fully dead cells. From the contrast between tissue protease dissociation at 37°C or 6°C, we observe that collagenase digestion results in a stress response. We derive a core gene set of 512 heat shock and stress response genes, including FOS and JUN, induced by collagenase (37°C), which are minimized by dissociation with a cold active protease (6°C). While induction of these genes was highly conserved across all cell types, cell type-specific responses to collagenase digestion were observed in patient tissues. We observe that the yield of cancer and non-cancer cell types varies between tissues and dissociation methods.Conclusions The method and conditions of tumour dissociation influence cell yield and transcriptome state and are both tissue and cell type dependent. Interpretation of stress pathway expression differences in cancer single cell studies, including components of surface immune recognition such as MHC class I, may be especially confounded. We define a core set of 512 genes that can assist with identification of such effects in dissociated scRNA-seq experiments.

  Study EGAS00001003753

• Genomic Diagnosis and Individualized Therapy of Highly Penetrant Genetic Diabetes

  The most common and well-known causes of diabetes are type 1 and type 2 diabetes; however, there are many other etiologies of diabetes. At least 1-2% of diabetes cases result from high penetrance single gene defects, most commonly in a gene encoding either a transcription factor involved in beta cell development and function or the enzyme glucokinase (GCK). Others have mutations in transcription factors necessary for beta cell development and function. This subset of monogenic diabetes cases is autosomal dominant and is known as "Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young" (MODY). Patients with type 1 diabetes are insulin dependent, meaning they lack insulin production and therefore require multiple daily injections of insulin, as well as multiple times a day blood glucose monitoring. This can be quite burdensome. Type 2 diabetes is predominantly an insulin resistance problem and can often be managed with pills initially, but there are many who also require insulin either at diagnosis or later on in their disease course. Usually, monogenic diabetes is misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes and thus treated suboptimally. Those with monogenic diabetes, due to a defect in a gene encoding a transcription factor, respond extremely well to a class of oral diabetes medications called sulfonylureas. Those with GCK-MODY often have a mild, stable, fasting, nonprogressive hyperglycemia for which pharmacological treatment is often not necessary. It is important to accurately diagnose our patients with the correct etiology to their diabetes for a multitude of reasons. Accurately diagnosing a patient with MODY, for example, can predict their clinical course and we can tailor treatment accordingly. If diagnosed with a transcription factor MODY, we can try switching the patient from insulin to an oral sulfonylurea, and if diagnosed with a GCK-MODY, we can consider discontinuing pharmacological treatment altogether. With specific tailoring of treatment, we would hope to improve quality of life by discontinuing perhaps multiple daily injections of insulin and glucose checking as these may not be necessary. In addition, we would hope to improve glycemic control with an eventual decreased cost to society by decreasing the complication rate of diabetes, resulting in less specialty referrals, lab tests, supplies and procedures. Further, given MODY is an autosomal dominant condition with a 50% chance of inheritance to first-degree family members, we could offer testing to asymptomatic family members which could lead to prevention and/or early diagnosis and treatment. Overall, testing for monogenic diabetes is underutilized clinically. Testing is being done in the U.K., but in the U.S. we are lagging behind. This is most predominantly due to lack of knowledge and concern over cost. In addition, it is difficult to differentiate the relatively small number of monogenic diabetes cases from the larger number with type 1 and type 2 diabetes as each of these etiologies have overlapping characteristics. In fact, many patients with monogenic diabetes are being misdiagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. There are recommendations set forth by different societies on who to consider screening for monogenic diabetes. However, these recommendations are difficult to employ clinically as they are general recommendations, there is no specific algorithm, and they are based on varying levels of evidence. The purpose of this study is to implement a personalized diabetes medicine program to enhance the identification of individuals and families affected by highly penetrant diabetes gene mutations through a combination of systematic screening and genetic testing at the University of Maryland Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology, the Baltimore VA Medical Center and additional partner centers at Geisinger Health System and Bay West Endocrinology Associates, and other UM outpatient clinics. Our hope is to develop an approach that can be eventually implemented across the United States so that we can more often uncover the correct etiology to diabetes, tailor treatment accordingly, and test asymptomatic family members.

  Study phs001771

• Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) Hypertonic Saline (HS) Trial Shock Study and Traumatic Brain Injury Study (TBI) (ROC-HS/TBI-BioLINCC)

  Data Access NOTE Please refer to the "Authorized Access" section below for information about how access to the data from this accession. Access differs from many other dbGaP accessions.ObjectivesShock: To determine if prehospital administration of 7.5% hypertonic saline with 6% Dextran-70 (HSD) or 7.5% hypertonic saline alone (HS), compared to current standard therapy with normal saline (NS), as an initial resuscitation fluid, affects survival following traumatic injury with hypovolemic shock.TBI: To determine whether out-of-hospital administration of hypertonic fluids improves neurologic outcome following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).Background Trauma is the leading cause of death among North Americans between the ages of 1 and 44 years. The majority of these deaths result from hypovolemic shock or severe brain injury. Participants in hypovolemic shock develop a state of systemic tissue ischemia then a subsequent reperfusion injury at the time of fluid resuscitation. Conventional resuscitation involves the IV administration of a large volume of isotonic or slightly hypotonic (lactated ringers, LR) solutions beginning in the prehospital setting. Although not conclusive, prior studies have suggested that alternative resuscitation with hypertonic saline (7.5%) solutions may reduce morbidity or mortality in these participants. Furthermore, hypertonic fluids may have specific advantages in the brain-injured participant, as they may aid in the rapid restoration of cerebral perfusion and prevent extravascular fluid sequestration, thereby limiting secondary brain injury. In addition, recent studies have demonstrated that hypertonicity significantly alters the activation of inflammatory cells, an effect that may reduce subsequent organ injury from ischemia-reperfusion and decrease nosocomial infection. The majority of previous clinical trials have focused on the use of HSD. The potential for 7.5% saline alone (HS) to have similar effects has not been well studied. Removal of the dextran component may enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of this solution, which could improve secondary outcomes such as acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), multiple organ failure syndrome (MOFS) and rates of nosocomial infections. Participants Shock: There were 893 participants that were randomized (853 enrolled).TBI: There were 1282 participants enrolled and 6-month outcomes data were available for 1087 (85%).Design Shock: Multicenter, randomized, blinded clinical trials involving 114 emergency medical services agencies in North America within the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium were conducted from May 2006 to August 2008. Initial resuscitation fluid, 250 mL of either 7.5% saline per 6% dextran 70 (hypertonic saline/dextran, HSD), 7.5% saline (hypertonic saline, HS), or 0.9% saline (normal saline, NS) administered by out-of-hospital providers. Primary outcome was 28-day survival. On the recommendation of the data and safety monitoring board, the study was stopped early (23% of proposed sample size) for futility and potential safety concern.TBI: Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials involving 114 North American emergency medical services agencies within the Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium were conducted between May 2006 and May 2009. A single 250-mL bolus of 7.5% saline/6% dextran 70 (HSD), 7.5% saline (HS), or 0.9% saline (NS) initiated in the out-of-hospital setting. The main outcome measure was a six-month neurologic outcome based on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) (dichotomized as >4 or ≤4). The study was terminated by the data and safety monitoring board after randomization of 1331 participants, having met prespecified futility criteria.Conclusions Shock: Among injured participants with hypovolemic shock, initial resuscitation fluid treatment with either HS or HSD, compared with NS, did not result in superior 28-day survival. However, interpretation of these findings is limited by the early stopping of the trial (PMID: 21178763).TBI: Among participants with severe TBI not in hypovolemic shock, initial resuscitation with either HS or HSD, compared with normal saline, did not result in superior 6-month neurologic outcome or survival (PMID: 20924011).

  Study phs003777

• Resuscitation Outcomes Consortium (ROC) Amiodarone, Lidocaine or Neither for Out-Of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Due to Ventricular Fibrillation or Ventricular Tachycardia (ALPS)(ROC-ALPS-BioLINCC)

  Accessing Data Please refer to “Authorized Access” below regarding accessing data through the BioData Catalyst ecosystem. The data from this accession is not available for download through dbGaP. Objective To compare the effects of amiodarone, lidocaine, and placebo on survival to hospital discharge after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. Background Ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) are common causes of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, but are considered the most responsive to shock and therefore the most treatable. Nonetheless, most defibrillation attempts do not result in sustained return of spontaneous circulation, and VF or VT may persist or recur after shock. There is also evidence that longer durations of VF or VT are associated with decreases in the likelihood of resuscitation. Amiodarone and lidocaine are commonly used to promote successful defibrillation of shock-refractory VF or VT and prevent recurrences. Previous trials have shown amiodarone to be more effective than placebo or lidocaine for return of spontaneous circulation and survival at hospital admittance. This study sought to further extend the research and examine whether amiodarone would improve survival to hospital discharge and neurologic outcomes, as compared to placebo or lidocaine. Participants 3,026 eligible participants were enrolled, with 974 assigned to amiodarone, 993 assigned to lidocaine, and 1,059 assigned to placebo. An additional 1,627 participants that received a study intervention, but did not meet eligibility criteria, were included in analysis of the intention-to-treat population. Design The study interventions (amiodarone, lidocaine, and saline) were packaged in indistinguishable sealed kits and randomly distributed in to Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers in a 1:1:1 ratio, stratified by participating site and agency. Each kit contained three syringes, and each syringe held 3 ml of colorless fluid containing 150 mg of amiodarone, 60 mg of lidocaine, or normal saline. Participants with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were treated in accordance with local EMS protocols, in compliance with American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. If VF or VT persisted or recurred after one or more shocks, eligible participants received a vasopressor and the masked kit containing amiodarone, lidocaine, or placebo. Approximating current clinical practice, the initial dose consisted of two syringes administered by rapid bolus. If the estimated body weight of the patient was less than 100 lbs., then one syringe was used. If VF or VT persisted, standard resuscitation measures, additional shocks, and an additional syringe of the study drug were administered. At that point the trial interventions were completed and standard interventions for advanced life support were employed. Upon arrival at the hospital, providers were notified of the patient's enrollment in the trial and encouraged to provide usual care in accordance with AHA guidelines, including open-label amiodarone or lidocaine if necessary. Components of hospital care were monitored but not standardized by the trial protocol. Participants, providers, and trial personnel were blinded to the trial drug assignments, with the exception of treating physicians if emergency un-blinding was required for care. Data from pre-hospital patient care records, CPR process measures, and hospital medical records were collected. The primary outcome of the trial was survival to hospital discharge, and the secondary outcome was survival with favorable neurologic status at discharge, defined as a score on the modified Rankin scale of 3 or less. Conclusions Neither amiodarone nor lidocaine resulted in a significantly higher rate of survival to hospital discharge or favorable neurologic outcome, as compared to placebo, among participants with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest due to initial shock-refractory ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia.

  Study phs003784