DESTINE: Decision Support Tool in Endovascular Therapy

Ischemic strokes are caused by an obstruction in a blood vessel to the brain. Typically a drug is administered to dissolve the clot. But a new procedure, Endovascular Therapy (EVT), is proven to be more effective. Using imaging, surgeons and interventionalists use a retrievable stent to remove the blood clot. But every second counts—during a stroke about 2 million brain cells die every minute--so it’s imperative to get the patient to an urban hospital for EVT as fast as possible.

BME researchers have developed DESTINE, an interactive geographic software that shows the best transport option for ischemic stroke patients to access EVT. The cloud-based software interfaces with Google’s Distance Matrix API and ARC GIS, a geographic information system. DESTINE will optimize outcomes for stroke patients, increase access to EVT and reduce costs to the healthcare system.