Advanced REperfusion STrategies for Refractory Cardiac Arrest (The ARREST Trial)

Experimental: ECMO Facilitated Resuscitation

Regardless of whether return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) has been achieved and with on-going mechanical CPR, patients will enter the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (CCL) for expeditious VAECMO initiation, if required, followed by coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) when appropriate.

Other: Standard ACLS Resuscitation

Patients with refractory VF/VT OHCA will be treated with ACLS resuscitation for at least 15 minutes after arrival in the emergency department (ED), or up to 60 minutes from 911 call, after which the physician (MD) can continue resuscitation efforts until ROSC is achieved or futility has been reached based on their clinical judgment. If the patient has not achieved ROSC during the times mentioned above, the ED MD can declare death when he or she believes that ACLS is futile. If ROSC is present upon arrival or has been achieved anytime during resuscitation in the ED, the patient will be taken to the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) for coronary angiography and PCI, and potential VA ECMO or other circulatory support device initiation, as clinically indicated.