Boston: In a new study, a team of scientists has developed a new test to diagnose stroke by combining blood-based indicators with clinical scores used to identify patients. The purpose of the test was to diagnose large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke in patients.
“Scientists have developed a game-changing test that will ensure more people with stroke are in the right place at the right time,” said senior author Joshua Bernstock of Brigham and Women’s Hospital. They are receiving important treatment to restore health.
Most stroke cases are ischemic, in which the blood flow to the patient’s brain is interrupted. LVO stroke is an aggressive type of ischemic stroke that occurs when blood flow is blocked in a large vessel in the brain.
When blood flow to the brain is reduced, brain cells begin to die within minutes due to lack of oxygen and nutrients.
LVO stroke is a major medical emergency and requires mechanical thrombectomy with immediate treatment. This is a surgical procedure that removes blockages in the veins.
Mechanical thrombectomy makes patients feel as if they never had a stroke, says Joshua Bernstock. The sooner this method of treatment is used, the better the results will be seen in the patient.
The research findings were published in the journal Stroke.
