St. Luke’s University Health Network has become one of the first health systems in the nation to implement a new imaging technology designed to speed up treatment for stroke patients, officials said.
The system, known as AngioFlow by RapidAI, allows physicians to assess brain blood flow in real time during procedures, eliminating the need to send patients to a CT scanner for additional imaging.
AngioFlow is now in use at St. Luke’s University Hospital in Bethlehem, a comprehensive stroke center that serves as the network’s hub for advanced neurovascular care.
Dr. Martin Oselkin, a neurointerventional radiologist, said the technology can significantly reduce the time it takes to evaluate patients and begin treatment.
“This results in at least 35 minutes in time saved,” Oselkin explained, “which is vital to patient outcomes, as 1 million brain cells die with each minute that passes before a clot is removed.”
Traditionally, stroke patients undergo perfusion imaging using a CT scanner to determine whether they are candidates for procedures such as thrombectomy, or clot removal. With AngioFlow, that imaging can now be performed directly in the operating room.
Officials said the faster workflow can help doctors identify salvageable brain tissue earlier, tailor interventions more precisely and monitor blood flow during treatment.
The technology is being used by a team that includes Oselkin and endovascular neurosurgeons Dr. Evan Marlin and Dr. Nathan Quig.
St. Luke’s said the addition of AngioFlow strengthens its stroke care capabilities and reflects its broader focus on innovation and patient outcomes.
