AI Imaging Halves Delays in Stroke Patient Transfers

 Probably the only thing AI is good for in stroke until the ACTUAL RESEARCH IS OUT THERE FOR 100% RECOVERY!

And why isn't your incompetent? doctor working on 100% recovery?

AI Imaging Halves Delays in Stroke Patient Transfers

Using artificial intelligence (AI) imaging software helps stroke patients receive treatment more than an hour earlier, a new study has found, supporting its wider rollout across the NHS.

The AI tool analyses CT scans in real time. It accelerates clinical decision-making and enables faster transfer of patients to specialist stroke centres.

The study, published in The Lancet Digital Health, found that for patients who presented to a primary stroke centre and were then transferred to a comprehensive stroke centre, the median door-in door-out time was a “clinically meaningful” 64 minutes shorter when the AI software was used. Thrombectomy rates at participating sites doubled from 2.3% to 4.6%, compared with smaller increases at hospitals not using the technology (1.6% to 2.6%).

Around 15,000 patients directly benefited from having their scans reviewed by the AI tool, the authors said.

“This landmark study confirms what we have already been seeing in daily practice: that stroke AI imaging is helping us deliver faster decision-making and better care for our patients,” said Dr David Hargroves, NHS national clinical director for stroke and study co-author.

Rapid Interpretation Critical

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death and disability in England, with around 80,000 strokes each year. 

Endovascular thrombectomy is the standard of care for patients with large vessel occlusion stroke. Used alone or with intravenous thrombolysis, it can rescue salvageable tissue, reduce brain damage, and limit long-term disability.

Timely identification of large vessel occlusion is crucial. Every 20-minute delay in thrombectomy reduces the chance of full recovery by around 1%. 

Primary stroke centres typically lack neuroradiology expertise and neurointerventional capability to deliver endovascular thrombectomy. Comprehensive stroke centres can provide these services, but delays in transfer can affect outcomes.

The AI tool identifies key stroke features within minutes. The study found the greatest improvements in treatment rates and transfer times at hospitals without on-site neuroradiology expertise, where rapid interpretation is critical.

The prospective observational study analysed data from 71,017 patients with ischaemic stroke admitted to one of 26 evaluation sites.

Patients reviewed with AI were more likely to receive thrombectomy and intravenous thrombolysis. They were also more likely to have a favourable functional outcome at discharge, with no increase in in-hospital mortality.

“These results support the routine use of AI imaging software in the management of patients with stroke,” the authors said.

AI Rolled Out Nationwide

The researchers noted some limitations. Patients assessed with the AI tool tended to have more severe stroke at presentation but better baseline function, which may have influenced the association with higher endovascular thrombectomy rates. Long-term outcome data were also limited. However, the authors said the clinical impact at discharge aligns with known benefits of improving access to thrombectomy.

“This technology supports clinicians to make rapid treatment decisions, which means more patients can receive life- and disability-saving treatments in time — giving them a better chance of returning to independent living,” Hargroves said.

He added that the findings provide robust, real-world evidence of the technology’s impact and show why the NHS moved quickly to roll it out nationwide.

Rob Hicks is a retired National Health Service doctor. A well-known TV and radio broadcaster, he has written several books and has regularly contributed to national newspapers, magazines, and online publications. He is based in the United Kingdom.