AI saves brain cells: How a new tool is revolutionizing stroke care
In the UK, an AI tool has significantly improved the care of stroke patients. Over the past three years, all 107 Stroke Units have introduced the diagnostic tool Brainomix e‑Stroke, which analyzes brain scans in just 60 seconds. With AI, the time to an accurate diagnosis has been reduced by around one hour on average.
The tool was first tested in 2022. In the British pilot project, Brainomix e‑Stroke was shown to triple the number of patients who survived a stroke without lasting disability – from 16 to 48 percent. «A patient loses around two million brain cells per minute at the start of a stroke, which is why rapid diagnosis is so critical,» explains Dr. David Hargroves, who leads the NHS project.
The AI software detects patterns in CT images and provides doctors with precise guidance. This allows them to decide more quickly whether to treat with medication or whether surgery to remove the blood clot is necessary. The faster this decision is made, the greater the chance that patients will survive a stroke without lasting impairment. Manual evaluation of the images previously took up to two hours.
More operations and major time savings through AI
With around 80,000 strokes each year in the UK, the use of the AI tool means that tens of thousands of people can live on with fewer limitations.
Brainomix e‑Stroke is a product of the Oxford spin‑off Brainomix and is also approved in Europe, the US, and other regions. Depending on the country and clinic, the tool is already in use – for example in some German Stroke Units, in hospital networks in Spain and Italy, at the Mayo Clinic in the US, or in local hospitals in Japan. In Switzerland, Brainomix is working on a research project for AI‑supported stroke care.
Initial evaluations of more than 80,000 patients in Europe show that the AI diagnostic tool led to 50 % more operations and a time saving of around 50 minutes.
Recognizing stroke symptoms with the FAST rule
A stroke occurs when the brain’s blood supply is suddenly interrupted – either by a blood clot (ischemic stroke, about 85 % of cases) or by a ruptured vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). In both cases, nerve cells die within minutes. That is why rapid action is essential.
The symptoms can appear suddenly. Common signs include sudden one‑sided paralysis or numbness, vision problems such as blindness or double vision, speech difficulties, dizziness with nausea and vomiting, loss of balance, severe headache, or impaired consciousness.
The FAST rule helps identify the most important symptoms immediately:
F – Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A – Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms with palms up. Does one arm drift downward?
S – Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Is the speech slurred, unclear, or are words missing?
T – Time: Call emergency services immediately (911 in the US, 112 in the EU, 999 in the UK). Every minute counts. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve.
Important: Even if symptoms disappear after a few minutes, the person must be taken to a hospital with a Stroke Unit. A so‑called transient ischemic attack (TIA) is often a warning sign of a major stroke.
A stroke is an absolute emergency but it is recognizable and often treatable. In an emergency, stay calm and call for help immediately. Note the exact time and duration of symptoms, as this helps doctors with diagnosis. Do not leave the person alone and do not give them food, drink, or medication. Swallowing difficulties are common and choking is a risk.
Those who act quickly give stroke patients the best chance of surviving without lasting disability – especially if the right treatment can be started immediately in a specialized center.
Sources
UK Government: Artificial intelligence revolutionising NHS stroke care
NHS England Blog: How AI is helping to speed up stroke diagnosis and treatment
MedicalXpress: AI tech revolutionizing stroke treatment in England
USZ Stroke Center: Symptom check FAST
Cleveland Clinic: BE FAST stroke signs
American Stroke Association: Stroke symptoms and warning signs
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