Research

A real-world clinical trial

CARAMBA investigates whether a targeted intervention in public housing communities can increase early defibrillation and improve survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

View study protocol View ClinicalTrials.gov registration

Study design

Cluster-randomised trial

The trial compares residential communities with and without the complete CARAMBA intervention.

26 public housing communities are included in the study
Intervention areas are compared with control areas
The intervention is tested in a real-world setting
Outcomes are assessed using the Danish Cardiac Arrest Registry

Background

Why this matters

Although survival after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest has improved in Denmark, most cardiac arrests still occur in private homes, where early defibrillation remains rare.

CARAMBA therefore focuses on residential communities where improved defibrillator access, local training and volunteer responder recruitment can make a tangible difference.

Each year in Denmark

5,000+

out-of-hospital cardiac arrests

Where it happens

75%

occur in private homes

Early defibrillation

~5%

receive bystander defibrillation in private homes

Study structure

What does CARAMBA examine?

The study combines clinical outcomes with a practical intervention designed for local implementation and long-term anchoring.

Primary outcome

Defibrillation before ambulance arrival

Defibrillation performed by a resident or another bystander before the ambulance arrives.

Secondary outcome

Survival after 30 days

The study also examines survival 30 days after the cardiac arrest.

The intervention

Three practical components

Strategic defibrillator deployment, hands-on resuscitation training and recruitment of local volunteer responders.

Implementation

Adapted to each community

The intervention is implemented with a focus on local anchoring, realistic operation and practical everyday use.

From study to practice

Local action is part of the research

CARAMBA combines research, practical training and local implementation. The project works with ambassadors, instructors and residential communities to strengthen cardiac arrest response.

Local ambassadors

Ambassadors in the residential communities help create visibility, participation and local ownership.

CPR instructors

Local instructors support hands-on training in resuscitation and defibrillator use.

QCPR training

Training with feedback equipment makes the teaching concrete, measurable and action-oriented.

Funding and collaboration

Strong partners behind the project

CARAMBA is funded by TrygFonden and the Independent Research Fund Denmark. Project partners contribute training, equipment, research expertise, local anchoring, ambulance support and defibrillators.