When a stroke patient arrives for treatment, quick and accurate assessment is essential to guide the right treatment plan. One powerful innovation that helps in this process is RAPID SOFTWARE, a diagnostic tool that assists medical teams in making swift, precise decisions. It supports targeted treatments to reduce brain cell loss, potentially helping patients return to near-normal lives—a benefit not just for patients but also for their families.
How RAPID SOFTWARE Works
Once a brain MRI scan is performed, the imaging data is processed through RAPID SOFTWARE, which analyzes brain tissue to determine:
- Which parts of the brain have already been permanently damaged
- Which areas are at risk of further damage within the next 24 hours if treatment is delayed
This software provides doctors with high-quality information to plan treatments quickly and effectively, enabling better communication with patients and their families. This represents a significant advancement from older practices that relied solely on visual interpretation of MRI results.
Case Study: Stroke Patient with Blockage in the Left Brain
A patient arrived at a local hospital with right-sided weakness, facial drooping, and an inability to speak—classic signs of a left-brain ischemic stroke. The hospital transferred the patient to a provincial hospital within 1 hour, where clot-busting medication was administered.
This hospital was part of the Phyathai 1 Hospital stroke care network, which meant the patient could be referred directly to the Stroke Center at Phyathai 1 Hospital. While the transfer was underway, the initial CT results were forwarded in advance.
Upon arrival, the medical team at Phyathai 1 performed MR perfusion imaging and processed it using RAPID SOFTWARE. The results showed:
- 6 ml of brain tissue had already been permanently damaged
- If treatment was not given within 24 hours, up to 91 ml more of the brain could be lost
This level of brain loss could result in severe disability—complete paralysis, inability to speak, and full-time bed care.
Urgent Clot Retrieval Saves the Brain
After explaining the situation and treatment options to the patient’s family, the stroke team recommended clot retrieval surgery (mechanical thrombectomy). Once consent was given, the hospital immediately prepared the operating room.
As soon as the patient arrived, the medical team used a stent retriever to successfully extract the clot from the brain artery. The patient had no complications, and follow-up MRI showed no additional brain cell death.
Remarkable Recovery Within One Day
The day after the procedure, the patient could walk and begin physical therapy. The only lingering symptom was slight weakness in the right arm and hand. With continued rehabilitation and medication, the patient returned to a nearly normal daily life.
Only a Few Hospitals in Thailand Offer RAPID SOFTWARE
Currently, RAPID SOFTWARE is used in only three hospitals in Thailand:
- Two are state-run teaching hospitals
- Phyathai 1 Hospital is the only private hospital equipped with this software
The goal is to ensure patients receive accurate and timely diagnosis, enabling fast, effective treatment and improving both survival and quality of life.
