Artificial Intelligence-powered imaging in stroke uses AI to analyse medical scans like CT and MRI to help speed up the diagnosis and treatment of strokes. Such analysis can detect abnormalities that are often difficult for the human eye to identify.
It also identifies and measures the extent of a stroke, besides aiding in determining the best course of treatment. Faster treatment leads to better patient outcomes, as every minute of lost time can result in the loss of millions of brain cells.
Dr Pradeep Kumar, Associate Consultant, Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Nagarbhavi, Bengaluru, said that time was the most decisive factor in stroke care. The longer the patient stays without treatment, the more severe the damage to the brain; thus, rapid diagnosis is a necessity.
AI software can scan CT and MRI images at a very high speed, detect areas affected by reduced blood flow, and identify blockages in blood vessels. This, Kumar said, helped doctors to instantly figure out the magnitude of the stroke, which is very important for choosing the medication to either dissolve the clot or go for a minimally invasive procedure to extract the clot. The technology works alongside doctors, highlighting subtle changes that may be missed during conventional scan reviews and reducing the chances of human error.
In real-life practice, this can save precious minutes, which directly translates to saving brain function and improving a patient’s quality of life after a stroke. AI doesn’t replace doctors; it aids them by giving precise, quick, and actionable information. With the combination of human experts and AI insight, patients can receive fast and personalised care, thereby giving them the best chance for recovery and reduced long-term disability.
Dr PR Krishnan, Senior Consultant - Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, said that the use of AI-driven imaging helps instantly evaluate the disruptions in blood flow, the position of clots, and the health of the brain tissue.
Advantages of AI in stroke care
One of the most remarkable advantages is the ability to triage patients even before they reach the hospital, as some AI platforms are even integrated with hospital PAC (Picture Archiving and Communication) systems to pre-analyse incoming scans and alert the stroke team in real time, enabling parallel preparation for thrombectomy (surgical intervention to remove clot) procedures.
Additionally, AI can show the areas that may be missed in typical imaging, thus facilitating the application of minimally invasive and highly effective interventions.
In real terms, this technology is changing the approach to stroke care from a reactive to a proactive one, offering the right treatment to the right patients at the right time while hospitals are not overusing their resources.
Scanning done quickly
Dr Sreekanta Swamy, Additional Director, Neurology, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, said that manual review of CT scans takes 20 to 30 minutes at a minimum, as doctors have to check hundreds of images one by one.
However, the AI imaging system today takes only a few seconds for the same task. The trained algorithm is capable of quickly examining all the CT or CT angiography images, marking the ones that exhibit abnormalities, and pinpointing the area of concern. This process allows doctors to determine the location and severity of the stroke very rapidly.
As soon as AI completes its evaluation, the medical team can instantly start performing the right treatment. AI also contributes to the coordination process by notifying the specialists as soon as the diagnosis is made, thus saving valuable time.
While this translates into quicker treatment and better recovery for patients, for doctors, it means decision-making backed by clear, data-driven insights.
In stroke care, every minute saved can be the differential factor between complete recovery and lasting damage, and that is the real impact of AI in stroke care.
