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Medics to give cardiac arrest patients a placebo in controversial trial

Patients whose hearts stop will be given salt water instead of adrenalin in an “ethically questionable” study to see whether adrenalin works in resuscitation

The Telegraph

ENGLAND — Paramedics will give patients whose heart has stopped a dummy drug as part of an ‘ethically questionable’ study into whether adrenalin works in resuscitation or not, it has emerged.

Patients in cardiac arrest will receive either a shot of adrenalin, which is the current practice, or a salt water placebo but the patient, their relatives nor the paramedic administering it will know which.

The trial is seen to be controversial because patients will not be able to consent to taking part and could receive a totally useless placebo injection.

Read full story: Heart patients to be given placebo by paramedics in controversial trial