New AEM study highlights feasibility of cranial accelerometry device for prehospital detection of large-vessel occlusion stroke

Des Plaines, IL – A new study exploring the use of cranial accelerometry (CA) headsets for the prehospital detection of large-vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes has been published in a recent issue of Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM), the peer-reviewed journal of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM). 

LVO strokes, which represent one-third of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) cases in the United States, are responsible for two-thirds of poststroke dependence and 90% of poststroke mortality. The introduction of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) over the past decade has significantly advanced the management of LVO strokes, emphasizing the importance of rapid recognition and transport to EVT-capable hospitals. However, timely and accurate prehospital detection of LVO strokes remains a significant challenge. 

The study, led by James H. Paxton, MD, MBA, from the Department of Emergency Medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine, evaluated the feasibility of a CA headset device for detecting LVO strokes in prehospital settings. Titled Headpulse measurement can reliably identify large-vessel occlusion on stroke in prehospital suspected stroke patients: Results from EPISODE-PS-COVID study, the research also aimed to develop an algorithm to distinguish LVO strokes from other conditions. 

“The EPISODE-PS-COVID study is, to our knowledge, the first to evaluate the use of a cranial accelerometry device for LVO stroke detection in prehospital settings,” said Dr. Paxton.

Cranial accelerometry leverages cranial forces generated by cardiac contractions to identify patterns indicative of LVO strokes. The tested device, a headband equipped with three leads and a handheld screen, has already shown high sensitivity and specificity in emergency department and neuro-interventional suite settings. The findings of this study demonstrate that obtaining adequate recordings with this CA device is highly feasible in prehospital environments, marking an important step forward in stroke management. 

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ABOUT ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE

Academic Emergency Medicine, the monthly journal of Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, features the best in peer-reviewed, cutting-edge original research relevant to the practice and investigation of emergency care. The above study is published open access and can be downloaded by following https://doi.org/10.1111/acem.14919. Journalists wishing to interview the authors may contact Laura Giblin at lgiblin@saem.org.

ABOUT THE SOCIETY FOR ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE

SAEM is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the improvement of care of the acutely ill and injured patient by leading the advancement of academic emergency medicine through education and research, advocacy, and professional development. To learn more, visit saem.org.