Testing of Identification Markers for Stroke

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the first cause of physical disability and dementia worldwide. Ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion (LVO) is responsible for the vast majority of deaths and disabilities. A very effective and safe treatment, called mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is available for LVO patients. Nevertheless, no blood biomarkers able to identify LVO patients rapidly and to direct them to CT angiography and thrombectomy currently exist. The TIME study is an observational prospective cohort study. All Patients referred to the emergency department or stroke unit with a suspected stroke as identified by paramedics, nurses or clinicians will be enrolled in the study. A panel of blood biomarkers will be analysed retrospectively via standard laboratory assays. The main outcome of the TIME study will be the evaluation of the clinical diagnostic performance of a panel of blood biomarkers, in conjunction with clinical data, for the identification of large vessel occlusion ischemic stroke subtype. This study will allow the identification and evaluation of a final panel of biomarkers and will prompt the development of a test for LVO stroke diagnosis.