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Stroke due to large vessel occlusion (LVO) contributes very significantly towards global adult disability and care costs. This burden is reduced when a specialist surgical treatment (thrombectomy) is performed rapidly within the first 6 hours. However most patients are first admitted to a local hospital, which cannot provide treatment. Suitable patients must be transferred onto the nearest thrombectomy centre, delaying treatment by ~2 hours, with corresponding poorer outcomes.  

Our technology could allow LVO detection in ambulances, enabling direct admission of selected patients to thrombectomy centres.   

Having previously demonstrated 95% accuracy for LVO detection using laboratory assays, we are developing a portable blood test. We will validate the test on biobank of samples and collect feedback from end-users and stroke survivors.

LVOne is a novel rapid blood test for diagnosing severe stroke patients who need rapid treatment with mechanical thrombectomy. By using only a small fingerstick sample of blood, the test measures 2 protein biomarkers that the company has discovered, validated, and patented. LVOne is designed to be used in ambulance, so that patients can be identified early and fast-tracked to treatment. This project will investigate: 1) barriers/facilitators of LVOne's implementation in the real-world, 2) Accuracy for identification of treatment eligibility and not just clinical condition, 3) Health economics.

There are 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK living with potentially life-changing consequences.  

1 in 4 stroke survivors do not understand their diagnosis. Better patient understanding of their condition has the potential to reduce the likelihood of having a second stroke, improve quality of life, save lives and yield significant savings.  

 The ‘My Stroke Companion’ hub will:  

• provide high-quality, personalised and shareable information about stroke for patients, carers and family  
• communicate and explain how the local stroke pathway fits together  
• provide a trusted channel for patients to access peer support and local community services  

It will be disseminated to patients by healthcare professionals upon hospital discharge, enabling patients to view content on smartphones, tablets, computers and in print.