Ongoing Efforts in Cardiac Arrest Research
The study of cardiac arrest mechanisms, pathobiology, and management are central to the mission of the Center for Resuscitation Science and have formed the backbone of our research since our founding in 2006. We currently have active studies that span the range of research, from studies of biomarkers to clinical trials in post-cardiac arrest care.
Principal Investigator: Benjamin Abella, MD MPhil
Contact: benjamin.abella@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
Dr. Abella studies sudden cardiac arrest, a leading cause of death that claims over 350,000 lives each year in the United States. Specifically, projects within his clinical research team include: (1) evaluation of CPR and resuscitation performance, (2) testing new methods to teach CPR in the community, (3) prognostication of neurologic outcomes after cardiac arrest, and (4) methods to improve post-arrest care and outcomes. Dr. Abella is also the developer and Medical Director of a novel training course for post-arrest care and targeted temperature management (TTM), the Penn TTM Academy.
Dr. Abella has published over 250 scholarly works, reviews and monographs in numerous professional journals including NEJM, JAMA and Circulation, as well as textbook chapters on cardiac arrest and resuscitation. He is Co-Chair of the global Resuscitation Science Symposium and has participated in developing international CPR guidelines. He has won a number of honors for his research, clinical care in the Emergency Department and his teaching of residents and medical students and has lectured widely on the topics of cardiac arrest and post-arrest treatment. The investigative work of Dr. Abella’s team is supported by funding from the NIH and PCORI, as well as industry sources.
Dr. Abella can be found on Twitter @benjaminabella
Benjamin Abella's Recent Publications
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Exploring the Impact of Home-Based Serious Smartphone Resuscitation Gaming on Stress Among Nursing Students Practicing Simulated Adult Basic Life Support: Randomized Waitlist Controlled Trial.
JMIR serious games. 2025 Aug 29;13:e67623; Authors: Fijačko N, Abella BS, Metličar Š, Kopitar L, Greif R, Štiglic G, Skok P, Strnad M -
Traumatic cardiac arrest in older adults in the United States.
Resuscitation plus. 2025 Nov;26:101076 Epub 2025 Aug 23; Authors: Shekhar AC, Kuschner Z, Altman-Ezzard M, Carter J, Milekic B, Redlener M, Abbott EE, Abella BS, Yamada Y -
Attenuation of mitochondrial dysfunction in a ventricular fibrillation swine model of cardiac arrest treated with carbon monoxide.
Resuscitation. 2025 Aug;213:110647 Epub 2025 May 16; Authors: Ko TS, Greenwood JC, Morgan RW, Abella BS, Shofer FS, Mason M, Weintraub D, Bungatavula D, Lewis A, Ranieri NR, Yodh AG, Baker WB, Forti RM, Kao SH, Shin SS, Kilbaugh TJ, Jang DH -
Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in US Airports.
JAMA network open. 2025 Aug 1;8(8):e2529754; Authors: Shekhar AC, Kimbrell J, Friedmann T, Stebel J, Milekic B, Huebinger R, Coute R, Abbott EE, Ruskin KJ, Abella BS -
Comparing Machine Learning and Nurse Predictions for Hospital Admissions in a Multisite Emergency Care System.
Mayo Clinic proceedings. Digital health. 2025 Sep;3(3):100249 Epub 2025 Jul 9; Authors: Nover J, Bai M, Tismina P, Raut G, Patel D, Nadkarni GN, Abella BS, Klang E, Freeman R -
Comparing Machine Learning and Nurse Predictions for Hospital Admissions in a Multisite Emergency Care System.
medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences. 2025 Apr 8; Authors: Nover J, Bai M, Tismina P, Raut G, Patel D, Nadkarni GN, Abella BS, Klang E, Freeman R -
A deep learning model for QRS delineation in organized rhythms during in-hospital cardiac arrest.
International journal of medical informatics. 2025 Apr;196:105803 Epub 2025 Jan 30; Authors: Urteaga J, Elola A, Herráez D, Norvik A, Unneland E, Bhardwaj A, Buckler D, Abella BS, Skogvoll E, Aramendi E -
American Heart Association Automated External Defibrillator Symposium: Summary and Recommendations.
Journal of the American Heart Association. 2025 Apr;14(7):e039291 Epub 2025 Mar 19; Authors: Cabañas JG, Sasson C, Abella BS, Aufderheide TP, Becker LB, Dainty KN, Malta-Hansen C, Koster RW, Kurz MC, Marill KA, O'Connor M, Panchal AR, Rittenberger JC, Salcido DD, Sayre MR, Snobelen P, Starks MA, Atkins DL -
Implementation of a specialized neuroprognostication consultation program and associated provider attitudes: A survey-based study.
Resuscitation plus. 2025 May;23:100932 Epub 2025 Mar 19; Authors: Fischer D, Reyes-Esteves S, Law C, Ford A, Schwab P, Abella BS, Schneider ALC, Kumar MA -
Extended reality technologies in adult basic life support education: A scoping review.
Resuscitation plus. 2025 May;23:100927 Epub 2025 Mar 14; Authors: Fijačko N, Metličar Š, Janžekovič B, Abella BS, Nadkarni VM, Chang TP, Greif R