Dr. Raphael Sturm presented preliminary findings from a study on BIS monitoring during resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Milan.
Exploring Consciousness During Resuscitation
At this year’s European Resuscitation Council (ERC) Congress in Milan, Raphael Sturm, a recent graduate of the Human Medicine programme at Danube Private University (DPU), presented preliminary findings from a research project investigating the use of bispectral index (BIS) monitoring in patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).
The study focuses on whether measurable signs of residual brain activity or consciousness may be present during ongoing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, even when there are no observable external signs of consciousness.
The research was conducted in collaboration with the Vienna Professional Ambulance Service and the participating emergency medical teams, with scientific support from Univ.-Prof. Dr. Helmut Trimmel. The Danube Private University (DPU) provided important resources for the implementation of the research project.
The presentation at ERC Congress 2026 highlights the importance of prehospital research and the close connection between university-based research and emergency medical practice. The study contributes to a better understanding of neurological processes during resuscitation and may open new perspectives for the future care of patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
