Qure.ai Study Reveals AI Helps Doctors Treat Stroke Faster

The study found that AI implementation led to a 27% reduction in treatment time and a 97% accuracy rate in ruling out bleeds in suspected stroke cases.

A recent study by healthtech startup Qure.ai, in collaboration with Baptist Christian Hospital (BCH) in Tezpur, Assam, has shown that AI can significantly speed up stroke treatment.

The study, titled “Artificial Intelligence-based Automated CT Brain Interpretation to Accelerate Treatment for Acute Stroke in India: An Interrupted Time Series Study,” evaluated the effectiveness of Qure.ai’s AI-powered stroke detection solution, qER.

It focused on improving stroke diagnosis and treatment times, especially in remote or resource-limited settings.

Key Findings

The study found that AI implementation led to a 27% reduction in treatment time and a 97% accuracy rate in ruling out bleeds in suspected stroke cases.

Further, the qER solution analyzes head CT scans within minutes, allowing physicians to quickly identify and treat stroke patients, which is crucial during the first 60 minutes post-stroke, known as the Golden Hour.

The study highlights the potential for AI-powered solutions to support clinicians in remote and resource-limited settings, enabling timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Sharing thoughts, Anumeha Srivastava, chief business officer - neurology of Qure.ai., said, "Like BCH Tezpur, there are many hospitals globally, particularly in LMICs (low-middle income countries), that are the first line of care for stroke patients. Given the challenges of accessibility to super specialty hospitals, the treatment adequacy and timeliness decides the patient outcomes, and possibly post-stroke quality of life.”

Stroke Care in India

Stroke is the second leading cause of death in India, with around 1,85,000 cases reported annually.

Reportedly, a stroke occurs every 40 seconds, and a stroke-related death happens every four minutes. It ranks as the third leading cause of death and sixth in disability.

The first 60 minutes post-stroke, known as the Golden Hour, are crucial for intervention, significantly improving recovery outcomes. The high cost of stroke-related hospitalization highlights the need for immediate medical attention.

BCH Tezpur, a 130-bed charitable hospital under the Emmanuel Health Association, faces challenges in stroke care. It lacks an in-house neurologist and relies on a tele-radiologist for NCCT report analysis, which can take hours. The nearest comprehensive stroke hospital is 180 km away in Guwahati, complicating timely diagnosis and intervention.

"The ability to quickly and accurately diagnose strokes has allowed us to provide timely interventions, drastically improving patient outcomes in our hospital," Dr Jacob Johnson, medical director, Baptist Christian Hospital, remarked.

Recent Initiatives in Stroke Treatment

In March, Ludhiana’s Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital joined hands with Medtronic, a global healthcare technology company, to introduce Qure.ai’s AI-powered advanced stroke care solution.

This advanced technology analyzes brain scans with efficient speed, aiding doctors in identifying stroke-related issues promptly. With this initiative, CMC Hospital plans to expand the use of this technology to more hospitals in Punjab.

Last year, Medtronic India partnered with Qure.ai to integrate AI for advanced stroke management in the country. This collaboration combines Medtronic's neuroscience expertise with Qure.ai's AI-enabled innovations to provide comprehensive stroke care solutions.