Using Methinks AI Software to Speed Up Transfer Decisions for Acute Stroke Patients Needing Thrombectomy

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the Methinks Stroke Suite, an AI-based imaging software, to see if it can help speed up the transfer of acute stroke patients who may need thrombectomy from local stroke centers to specialized centers. The study focuses on patients initially assessed at centers that cannot perform endovascular therapy EVT. The main goals are to find out whether the software reduces the time to decide on patient transfer and how accurately it identifies candidates for EVT. The study compares patient care after integrating Methinks Stroke Suite into the stroke workflow with a historical group treated before its use. Patients will have a CT scan analyzed by the AI software at the local center. If the software and clinical judgment suggest thrombectomy might be needed, patients are transferred to specialized centers. If no large vessel occlusion is detected, further imaging like CT angiography may be done to reassess. This is an open-label, quasi-experimental study conducted across multiple centers in Catalonia, Spain. Participants will undergo CT scans at their local stroke center, with imaging data processed by the Methinks software. They will be followed for 90 days after their stroke to assess recovery and functional outcomes. Researchers will measure time from arrival to transfer decision, evaluate the softwares accuracy in detecting large vessel occlusions, monitor treatment rates, and gather clinician feedback on using the software. Safety during patient transfers will also be tracked. The study plans to enroll about 250 patients and includes a follow-up period of 3 months after stroke.

Accelerating Referral for Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke Patients Using an Artificial Intelligence-based Software