‘Golden Hour’ into ‘Golden Day’: KIMS Hospitals

* KIMS Neuro team introduces revolutionary

Artificial Intelligence technology

KIMS Hospitals is ushering in a new era of stroke care with the introduction of revolutionary Rapid AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology on Saturday at Hyderabad. This cutting-edge development extends the treatment window for ischemic stroke patients from the traditional “Golden Hour” to the “Golden Day,” offering hope and help to countless individuals affected by this debilitating condition.

Rapid AI works by integrating with advanced imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans. The AI software analyzes brain images, distinguishing between two critical regions: the “core,” which represents severely damaged brain tissue, and the “penumbra,” the at-risk area that’s still salvageable. Rapid AI provides clear visualizations of these areas, enabling medical professionals to make informed treatment decisions.

Dr. Bollineni Bhaskar Rao, Chairmen & MD, KIMS Hospitals, Dr Sambit Sahu, Medical Director KIMS Hospitals, Dr. Manas Kumar Phanigrahi, HOD & Sr. Consultant Neurosurgery, Dr. Subash Kaul, Senior Neurologist, KIMS Hospitals,  Dr. Praveen Kumar Yada, Consultant Neurologist KIMS Hospitals, Dr. Antha Ram, HOD, Chief of Radiology & Neuro Interventional Radiologist KIMS Hospitals, and senior neurologists have participated in the event.

Speaking about the new technology, Dr. Subhash Kaul, Senior Neurologist, KIMS Hospitals, said, “Ischemic strokes, which account for approximately 80% of all strokes, occur when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked, depriving the brain of crucial oxygen. Until now, thrombolytic agents, which can dissolve these clots, are only effective within the first 4.5 hours. Beyond this timeframe, the treatment’s effectiveness decreases, and it may even lead to adverse effects. The latest research and Technology has made it possible to mechanically remove the brain clot up to 24 hours. However this needs proper selection of patient based on the assessment of already damaged brain tissue and the still undamaged but at risk brain tissue.”

The traditional approach involved assessing the extent of brain damage by looking at CT and MRI brain with naked eye. However, this method is often imprecise, as stroke damage can affect scattered regions of the brain rather than one region. To address this limitation, KIMS Hospitals has adopted the Rapid AI software, originally developed and tested in the United States. This software, integrated with MRI technology, accurately calculates the core and penumbra areas of the brain, providing a comprehensive and precise assessment that enables doctors to perform mechanical thrombectomy, effectively removing the blockage.

“KIMS Hospitals, in a pioneering move for the region, now offers hope to stroke patients who can seek treatment within the extended “Golden Day,” which encompasses the first 24 hours following the stroke. Rapid AI has huge potential to transform stroke care in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.” Dr. Manas Panigrahi, HOD & Sr. Consultant Neurosurgery, KIMS Hospitals, elaborated on this innovative approach.

The introduction of Rapid AI marks a significant milestone in stroke care in the region. It opens the door for patients to be treated effectively even if they arrive within 24 hours of experiencing a stroke. The software can be integrated into various medical centers across the region, following a hub-and-spoke model. Instead of transferring patients, local healthcare providers can transmit MRI images to KIMS for expert evaluation and guidance.

Every year approximately 200 out of every 1 lakh people in the country suffer from strokes, equating to more than one stroke every minute in the country. With the extended treatment window provided by Rapid AI, there is an opportunity for a 30-40% of stroke patients to get improvement in the outcomes leading to a full recovery. The introduction of Rapid AI at KIMS Hospital demonstrates the commitment to advancing stroke care and improving the lives of stroke patients in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. This groundbreaking technology is set to redefine the standards of stroke treatment and bring hope to countless individuals and their families.