The NIH has launched two multicenter clinical trials that will evaluate treatments for sudden cardiac arrest that occurs out of the hospital.

The CCC trial will compare survival with hospital discharge rates for two CPR approaches — continuous chest compressions combined with pause-free rescue breathing vs. standard CPR — delivered by paramedics and firefighters to those experiencing cardiac arrest. Trained emergency personnel will give all participants in the CCC trial three cycles of CPR followed by heart rhythm analysis and, if needed, defibrillation.