Today, we’re exploring a critical challenge in stroke care: identifying patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) and getting them to the right hospital as quickly as possible.
Mechanical thrombectomy can transform outcomes, but access depends on rapid identification and appropriate prehospital triage. Current clinical assessment and stroke severity scales have limitations, making it difficult to reliably distinguish LVO from other strokes and stroke mimics.
Professor Christopher Price, Professor of Stroke and Applied Health Research at Newcastle University, has been investigating whether rapid, lateral-flow blood tests detecting stroke biomarkers could complement paramedic assessment and improve prehospital identification of patients suitable for thrombectomy.
Could point-of-care testing help clinicians make better destination decisions, reduce delays from inter-hospital transfers, and get the right patients to treatment sooner? We’ll explore the evidence, the limitations, and what this technology could mean for the future of prehospital stroke care.
Could the next major advance in stroke care happen before the patient reaches hospital?
Find out more about the research: https://www.ncl.ac.uk/press/articles/latest/2026/07/standardtemplate/
This Episode is Sponsored by PAX
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Event Spotlight: GWAAC Clinical Symposium 2026 – Innovation in Pre-Hospital Care
The Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC) Clinical Symposium returns on Friday 16 October 2026 at Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol, bringing together clinicians and experts to explore innovation in pre-hospital emergency medicine (PHEM).
With a programme of expert speakers covering topics including advanced practice, cardiac arrest management, team performance, military medicine and clinical education, the symposium offers an opportunity to challenge established thinking, share experience and take practical ideas back into clinical practice.
Whether you work in pre-hospital critical care, emergency medicine or frontline ambulance services, this is an opportunity to connect with colleagues and explore new approaches to improving patient care.
📍 Venue: Pravha Lounge, Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
📅 Date: Friday 16 October 2026, from 09:00
🎟️ Tickets: £18–£35
Register and find out more: https://greatwesternairambulance.com/support-us/events/special/gwaac-symposium-2026/
