Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center (ORMC) in the US has announced the use of Abbott’s i-STAT TBI blood test for assessing patients with suspected mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or concussions.
Delivering results in 15 minutes, the rapid blood test allows emergency room physicians to quickly assess patients, which is crucial during the time-sensitive moments following a head injury.
It identifies two biomarkers indicative of a brain injury, potentially ruling out the necessity for a CT scan.
Traditionally, the evaluation of concussions has relied on physical examinations to subjectively assess the injury and imaging to detect brain tissue damage. The i-STAT TBI test could significantly reduce the reliance on CT scans, which, while effective, are costly, time-consuming, and involve radiation exposure.
The i-STAT TBI cartridge is the latest addition to Abbott's portfolio of TBI tests and has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with venous whole blood, in April this year.
It is currently approved for use in patients aged 18 years and older, within 24 hours of injury.
Abbott global medical and scientific affairs senior director Chris Davlantes said: “TBI patients can sometimes be challenging to assess in an emergency department.
“During critical moments of uncertainty, a blood test can add objective information to quickly assess which patients can be safely sent home without imaging. We’re thrilled to collaborate with Orlando Health, a pioneer in concussion management, to introduce this important test for traumatic brain injuries—marking a significant advancement in the standard of care for patients.”
The development of the i-STAT TBI test resulted from a collaboration between Abbott and the US Department of Defense, specifically the US Army Medical Research and Development Command and the US Army Medical Materiel Development Activity.
Abbott plans to make the new TBI test available in various settings, including athletic facilities and is conducting ongoing research to potentially expand its use to teenagers and children.
