Hospital to pilot test that ‘will save lives’

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Hospital to pilot test that ‘will save lives’

A rapid stroke test that can show whether a common drug will work is being piloted at a new Nottingham clinic.

The cheek swab test is being offered at Queen’s Medical Centre, where a new clinic is assessing and treating patients after suspected minor stroke.

It can show within hours whether a patient carries a genetic variation that affects how well they respond to clopidogrel, the most commonly used drug to treat strokes.

A stroke affects about 100,000 people a year in the UK and happens when a clot blocks blood supply to part of the brain, potentially causing serious or fatal damage.

The pilot is focused on patients suspected of having a transient ischaemic attack, or TIA, often described as a mini-stroke.

A TIA is caused by a temporary disruption in blood flow to the brain and can be a warning sign of a more serious stroke.

Dr Kailash Krishnan, head of stroke medicine at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “This rapid test can be done in the hospital while we are carrying out other brain and neck scans, and allows us to make the changes to the patient’s treatment all on the same day.

“We can, therefore, be confident that this test will save lives.

“The results could also have huge ramifications for other treatment the patient is receiving, as medications which may not be working for them because of their genetic variation, can also be adjusted.”

The test may also show whether other medicines are working effectively, including warfarin, some antidepressants, drugs used for anxiety or indigestion, and some statins.

The service, which sees around 200 patients a month, will now offer clinic rooms, greater privacy and a calmer environment, staff said.

The purpose-built clinic is open seven days a week.

The pilot is believed to be the first of its type in the UK.

The test identifies whether a patient has a CYP2C19 gene variation, which affects how the body responds to clopidogrel.

The variation is seen in one in three people nationally, and double that in some ethnic groups.

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust said people with changes in the CYP2C19 gene may not respond properly to clopidogrel and are twice as likely to have further strokes when treated with it.

A test for the gene variation already exists, but results can take up to a week.

Doctors said faster testing is important because TIAs can come before larger and more dangerous strokes.

Rashaad Ashraf Ali had a stroke affecting his right eye in 2024, followed by another in 2025 that damaged his left eye.

Concerns that his medication was not working were confirmed after he took the new test.

He said: “It’s a big relief, actually. You can take the medication, but if it doesn’t work for you, you may end up getting further strokes.

“So, it is a big relief to identify the problem early and be put on new medication, which hopefully will be working in the future.”