AI in stroke care

We apply a novel AI-based image analysis tools applied to already available standard CT based imaging techniques where the overall aim is to study whether this can

   a) improve acute stroke diagnostics (detection of intracranial arterial occlusion) at primary stroke centers

   b) decrease time from image aquisition to initiation of transfer to the thrombetomy stroke center

   c) increase the number of patients transferred to and treated by thrombectomy at the the thrombectomy center (UNN).

Specific objectives:

1. To assess the diagnostic accuracy of mCTA in detection of medium and large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke using AI-based analysis tools compared to assessment by radiologists on call.
2. To assess if the implementation of available AI-based analysis tools applied to mCTA can increase the number of stroke patients eligible for and offered thrombectomy.
3. To assess if the use of AI-based image analysis tools in radiological diagnostics in primary stroke centres can reduce the time from onset to recanalization in acute ischemic stroke patients treated with thrombectomy.
4. To compare functional outcome and patient related outcome measures 3 months after thrombectomy in stroke patients who had their initial radiological diagnosis using AI-based image analysis tools to stroke patients diagnosed by standard care.
5. To assess user experience related to feasibility, utility and satisfaction with the implementation of the AI-based image analysis tool.

Chief Investigator: Agnethe Eltoft

Internal members: Jon André Totland, Tor Ingebrigtsen, Ellisiv B. Mathiesen, Linn H. Steffensen, Maria Carlsson

External collaborators: Anne Hege Aamodt (Oslo University Hospital), Karl Øyvind Mikalsen (Center for Patient Centered Artificial Intelligence (SKPI), Tromsø), Steinar Nyhus (Helse-Nord IKT), Marcus Nygård (Helse-Nord IKT), Mayank Goyal and Michael Hill (University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada),  Hilde Ofte (Dept. of Neurology, Nordland Hospital Trust Bodø, Norway), Hans Kristian Bø (Dept. of Radiology, Nordland Hospital Trust Bodø, Norway), Bjørn Petter Johannessen (Dept. of Radiology, Finnmarksykehuset), Klaus Becker (Dept. of Radiology, Helgelandssykehuset)

Grant by Helse-Nord HNF1627-22