The American Heart Association announced it is providing $3.4 million in grants to fund two research teams under a new initiative, the Cardiac Arrest Research Team (CART) Network, a collaboration with Heart & Stroke™ of Canada. The goal is to advance scientific understanding of cardiac arrest, which affects more than 600,000 people in the U.S. annually, with low survival rates both in and out of hospitals.
The first team, led by Joshua Lupton, M.D., M.P.H., M.Phil., an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) and a cardiac arrest survivor, will focus on out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Their study, “Accelerating Successful Defibrillation and Survivor Recovery for Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest,” will examine how emergency responders use defibrillators, including testing different pad placements to improve heart restart rates. The team will also use artificial intelligence to analyze data from heart monitors to optimize timing between electric shocks. Additionally, they will work with survivors and families to identify best practices for support and peer programs, aiming to build a shared research network involving hospitals, emergency responders, and survivors.
The second team, led by Ari Moskowitz, M.D., M.P.H., FAHA, an associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System, will investigate “Vasopressor Strategy in Cardiac Arrest to Optimize Recovery-Cardiac Arrest Research Team (VICTORY-CART).” This study will compare two blood pressure medicines commonly used after cardiac arrest to determine which improves survival and recovery of brain and organ function. The research will assess current usage patterns across hospitals and clinicians to identify ways to standardize effective treatment. The team aims to establish a learning health system framework that generates real-world evidence to rapidly improve post-cardiac arrest care.
Both teams will collaborate with Canadian scientists and incorporate insights from survivors, family members, and those who have lost loved ones to cardiac arrest. Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Cardiac arrest is a profound and tragic occurrence and we know seconds matter in making sure people get the right life-saving treatment at the right time.” She noted the initiative’s alignment with the Association’s Emergency Cardiovascular Care 2030 Impact Goals, which aim to double cardiac arrest survival rates within five years.
The four-year grants begin July 1, 2026. The American Heart Association has funded over $6.1 billion in cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and brain health research since 1949, making it the largest non-profit supporter of such research in the U.S. According to a recent Annenberg Policy Center poll, 82% of U.S. adults trust the Association for public health information, second only to personal healthcare providers.
For business and technology leaders, this research represents a significant investment in AI-driven healthcare and evidence-based emergency medicine. The use of artificial intelligence to analyze defibrillator timing and the focus on standardized treatment protocols could lead to cost-effective improvements in emergency response systems and hospital care. The collaboration between U.S. and Canadian teams also offers a model for multinational research networks that accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into practice, potentially reducing healthcare costs and improving outcomes for millions.
