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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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 -
Association of Racial Residential Segregation and Survival After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the United States.
Journal of the American Heart Association. 2025 Mar 4;14(5):e038940 Epub 2025 Feb 19; Authors: Abbott EE, Buckler DG, Shekhar AC, Landry E, Abella BS, Richardson LD, Zebrowski AM, and the CARES Surveillance Group -
The Latest in Resuscitation Research: Highlights From the 2023 American Heart Association's Resuscitation Science Symposium.
Journal of the American Heart Association. 2025 Mar 4;14(5):e037295 Epub 2025 Feb 19; Authors: Kaviyarasu A, Perman S, Balakrishnan R, Morgan RW, Yuriditsky E, Andrea L, Grossestreuer AV, Agarwal S, Owyang CG, Reis W, Yang BY, Blewer AL, Johnson NJ, Counts CR, Abella BS, Teran F -
The role of hospital performance on race and ethnicity outcome disparities for US non-traumatic out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.
Resuscitation. 2025 Mar;208:110496 Epub 2025 Jan 16; Authors: Huebinger R, Rios MD, Abella BS, McNally B, Bakunas C, Witkov R, Gill J, Bobrow B, CARES Surveillance Group -
Laypersons frequently ask questions during adult basic life support trainings: Qualitative study.
Resuscitation plus. 2025 Mar;22:100914 Epub 2025 Feb 25; Authors: Fijačko N, Brothers T, Greenwood JC, Glick J, Abella BS -
Palliative Care Initiated in the Emergency Department: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.
JAMA. 2025 Feb 18;333(7):599-608; Authors: Grudzen CR, Siman N, Cuthel AM, Adeyemi O, Yamarik RL, Goldfeld KS, PRIM-ER Investigators, Abella BS, Bellolio F, Bourenane S, Brody AA, Cameron-Comasco L, Chodosh J, Cooper JJ, Deutsch AL, Elie MC, Elsayem A, Fernandez R, Fleischer-Black J, Gang M, Genes N, Goett R, Heaton H, Hill J, Horwitz L, Isaacs E, Jubanyik K, Lamba S, Lawrence K, Lin M, Loprinzi-Brauer C, Madsen T, Miller J, Modrek A, Otero R, Ouchi K, Richardson C, Richardson LD, Ryan M, Schoenfeld E, Shaw M, Shreves A, Southerland LT, Tan A, Uspal J, Venkat A, Walker L, Wittman I, Zimny E -
Successful cardiac arrest resuscitation by a layperson participant in a novel AED-equipped response corps: A case report.
Resuscitation plus. 2025 Mar;22:100900 Epub 2025 Feb 10; Authors: Abella BS, Kurz MC, Knapp JM, Madonis SM, Buckingham J, Wirt A, Kaviyarasu A, Brothers T, Kratz MT, Ruby M