Table 1.
Characteristics of the included studies
| Name of study | Cariou et al[9], 2008 | Grmec et al[10], 2009 | Cariou et al[11], 2016 |
| Study design | Single center, case-control | Single center, case-control | Multicenter, single blind RCT |
| Total dose of Epo administered | 200000 IU | 90000 IU | 200000 IU |
| Timing of Epo administration | Immediately after ROSC | Within 1 or 2 min of physician assisted CPR | Immediately after ROSC |
| No. of participants, n (intervention/control) | 18/40 | 24/48 | 234/242 |
| Mean age, yr (intervention/control) | 59/58 | 59/60 | 60.5/58.6 |
| Male gender, n (intervention/control) | 16/39 | 16/34 | 192/184 |
| Initial rhythm PEA/asystole, n (intervention/control) | 2/8 | 12/17 | 94/100 |
| Initial rhythm shockable (VF/VT), n (intervention/control) | 16/32 | 12/31 | 115/110 |
| Perfusing rhythm after bystander defibrillation, n (intervention/control) | 0/0 | 0/0 | 24/31 |
| Unknown rhythm, n (intervention/control) | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1/3 |
| Follow-up duration | 28 d | Till hospital discharge | 60 d |
RCT: Randomized control trial; Epo: Erythropoietin; IU: International units; ROSC: Return of spontaneous circulation; CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; PEA: Pulseless electrical activity; VF: Ventricular fibrillation; VT: Ventricular tachycardia.