Early results suggest the test could be twice as effective as traditional methods, improving the speed and accuracy of detecting large vessel occlusions (LVO), the deadliest form of stroke.
Developed by UpFront Diagnostics, the test works similarly to a lateral flow test used for Covid-19 detection. It identifies two molecules in the blood: D-dimer, which signals the presence of blood clots, and GFAP, a marker for brain bleeding. The test can detect LVO within 15 minutes and boasts about 90% accuracy, far surpassing the effectiveness of symptom-based diagnosis used by paramedics.
LVOs account for one-third of strokes but cause around 95% of stroke-related disabilities and deaths. Early detection is critical, as patients who undergo thrombectomy—a procedure to remove the blood clot—within hours of symptoms appearing have a much better chance of recovery. However, diagnosing LVO has been a challenge due to its similarity to other conditions, and only 24 hospitals in the UK can perform thrombectomies.
Currently, patients often face long delays in receiving the appropriate care due to the need for transfers between general hospitals and specialist centers. Ambulance crews in Cambridgeshire are testing the new blood test as part of a feasibility study to determine how it could be integrated into real-world clinical settings. If successful, the test could help expedite treatment by identifying patients who need to be fast-tracked to thrombectomy-capable hospitals, potentially saving valuable time and improving outcomes.
Health experts are hopeful that the test could be a game-changer in the battle against strokes...
The Stroke Association is backing the pilot and has called the LVOne test a "revolutionary" development in stroke diagnosis.
Dr. Louise Flanagan, head of research at the Stroke Association, said: "When the NHS is under huge pressure and its workforce is in crisis, a simple finger prick test to help diagnose stroke could be revolutionary.
“The LVOne test could potentially diagnose stroke faster and much more affordably than the only current alternative, which is a brain scan. It could also help to identify the type of stroke a person is having, which is vital to ensure the right treatment is given.
“LVOne could help make it easier to decide whether someone is having a stroke that could be treated with a thrombectomy, saving the NHS time and money and, importantly, helping more people live well after stroke.”
In addition to speeding up diagnosis and treatment, the test could reduce costs for the NHS by eliminating the need for costly brain scans and ambulance transfers. The test may also lead to fewer stroke-related disabilities, which could result in long-term savings in rehabilitation and social care.
The trial of the finger-prick blood test is part of broader efforts to improve stroke care and prevention in the UK. According to the Stroke Association, lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise contribute to 90% of strokes, and there are 1.3 million stroke survivors in the country. While the new test could save lives, the charity is also calling for improvements in stroke prevention as part of the government’s 10-year health plan.
As the pilot continues, health experts are hopeful that the test could be a game-changer in the battle against strokes, potentially saving lives and reducing long-term health costs across the UK.
To learn more about the finger-prick tests, you can watch this video.