Welsh Ambulance Service and Newcastle University begin pioneering new stroke trial

22.07.26

The Welsh Ambulance Service is taking part in a new study aimed at quickly identifying patients with a specific type of stroke.

The PRONTO study, in partnership with Newcastle University, seeks to quickly identify patients who have suffered a serious type of stroke called large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke.

Patients with this type of stroke require an emergency operation called a thrombectomy to remove blood clots blocking arteries in the brain.

Currently there are no specific assessments or tests that ambulance staff can use to determine whether an LVO stroke is happening but the PRONTO study hopes to change that.

The new trial involves a fingerprick blood test called an LVOne test provided by Upfront Diagnostics Ltd, Cambridge, along with telephone communication between ambulance crews and hospital staff.

The fingerprick test measures two blood chemicals called ‘d-dimer’ and ‘GFAP’ and earlier research conducted in hospitals suggests that together, these chemicals indicate an LVO stroke.

Where an LVO stroke is suspected, the faster a thrombectomy is received, then the better the prognosis and chances of recovery are for the patient.

However, thrombectomy is very specialised and only available in certain regional hospitals.

Presently, thrombectomies at specialised hospitals only normally happen after tests at the patients’ local hospital to confirm the type of stroke, taking extra time and delaying suitable, tailored treatment.

Josh Miller, Head of Research and Innovation at the Welsh Ambulance Service said: “This research is evaluating whether a new ambulance assessment is sufficiently accurate for future use in identifying people who have LVO stroke and may need thrombectomy.

“Armed with this new information, patients could potentially be taken straight to specialised hospitals that are equipped and ready to perform the necessary thrombectomy.

“In time critical medical emergencies such as LVO strokes, this has the potential to make a huge difference their chances of survival and recovery.”

In Wales, the PRONTO trial is currently available to crews who are conveying patients to Swansea’s Morriston Hospital.

Dr Manju Krishnan, Principal Investigator at Swansea Bay University Health Board and Stroke Research Lead for Wales said: “Following close discussions with the National Research Delivery Network lead and Newcastle University regarding the PRONTO study in Wales, we are delighted to see the trial now underway.

“Myself, and the wider team at Swansea Bay University Health Board are excited to host the research at Morriston Hospital, as we believe the trial could benefit stroke victims not only in Wales, but across the entire UK.

In addition to Wales, trials are also taking place across sites in England as part of the wider partnership with Newcastle University.

Christopher Price, Professor of Stroke and Applied Health Research at Newcastle University, who is co-leading the study with Dr Lisa Shaw, Reader in Stroke Research said: "Results from studies using the LVOne test in hospital were promising, so we're now hoping to show that it can help to identify patients suitable for thrombectomy whilst they are still in the ambulance.

"If the study is a success, then the test would speed up treatment and improve recovery for a large number of stroke survivors.”