Smartphone-Enabled Point-of-Care Testing for Prehospital Stroke Diagnosis

• Published in: Prehospital emergency care 2024-12, p.1
• Main Authors: Menéndez-Valladares, Paloma, M Delgado, Rosa, Núñez-Jurado, David, Sempere-Bordes, Lluis, Penalba, Anna, Azurmendi, Leire, Parolo, Claudio, Barragán, Ana, Cabezas, Juan Antonio, de Jesús Gil, Carmen, Moreno, José, Canto Neguillo, Rafael, Valverde de Moyano, Roberto, García Garmendia, José Luis, García Murillo, Mercedes, Muñoz Martínez, Ismael, Romero Hidalgo, Antonia, Aranda Aguilar, Francisco, Pérez Sánchez, Soledad, Sánchez, Jean-Charles, Montaner, Joan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1545-0066; 1545-0066
• DOI: 10.1080/10903127.2024.2437657

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of point-of-care testing (POCT) devices for N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) measurement in prehospital settings, with the aim of improving the speed and accuracy of stroke diagnosis, thereby facilitating quicker and more effective patient care. Prehospital blood samples were collected from suspected stroke patients, and NT-proBNP levels were measured using a POCT device in ambulances and hospitals. Results from the NT-proBNP POCT and smartphone images were analyzed. Plasma samples underwent Elecsys proBNP II immunoassay after storage at -80ºC. A total of 121 suspected stroke patients were included in the study. The correlation between POCT measured by the POCT and immunoassay for NT-proBNP was strong (  = 0.926). Smartphone images also strongly correlated with POCT values at 10 min ( ²=0.9716) and 15 min ( ²=0.9405). Stability analysis of samples showed consistent NT-proBNP results and a high correlation (  = 0.907) was observed between plasma and whole blood samples for NT-proBNP POCT. This study highlights the potential of NT-proBNP POCT devices in ambulances to expedite stroke diagnosis and management within 10 min. Smartphone integration further enhances efficiency, adding advancement in prehospital stroke management.