East Anglian Air Ambulance Deploys Handheld Brain Bleed Test
As part of its BRAIN-FIRST program, East Anglian Air Ambulance has been evaluating an innovative emergency blood test that spots intracranial bleeding within minutes at crisis scenes, marking a US-first for air rescue services. The charity’s critical care teams have deployed the handheld analyzer with more than 200 patients suffering from suspected serious brain injuries.
The diagnostic tool utilizes a handheld blood analyzer called the i-STAT Alinity, manufactured by Abbott Point of Care Inc., to measure specific brain biomarkers from a small blood sample. These biological molecules, known as GFAP and UCH-L1, are released into the bloodstream following cellular injury within the brain. Findings from the first cohort of East Anglian Air Ambulance patients treated with the device show that the test correctly identified every instance of an intracranial hemorrhage without missing a single case.
Program gives clinicians biological information at the scene
Historically, medical personnel have depended primarily on a patient’s medical history, physical checks, and outward symptoms to gauge the probability of brain bleeding, whereas a confirmed diagnosis typically necessitated a hospital CT scan. The BRAIN-FIRST program gives clinicians biological information while they are still at the scene. According to Dr. James Price, HEMS Consultant and Clinical Lead for Research and Development at East Anglian Air Ambulance, this capability supports decisions about triage, hospital destination, and the urgency of specialist neuroscience care.
The operational impact extends beyond earlier diagnosis by helping clinicians select the most appropriate hospital destination from the outset. Patients with suspected intracranial hemorrhage may initially be taken to hospitals lacking specialist neurosurgical services, requiring subsequent transfer to a major neuroscience center. Dr. Price stated that earlier identification of high-risk patients has the potential to reduce delays to specialist treatment and avoid unnecessary secondary transfers between hospitals.
Ambulance service collaborates to expand evaluation internationally
The development of the program relied on external funding. Dr. Price noted that the initiative was made possible through the financial commitment of Tony and Maggie Abel from Abel Homes. Following the initial findings, East Anglian Air Ambulance is collaborating with other UK and international ambulance services to expand the evaluation of the approach across a larger and more diverse patient population.
Parallel to these international trials, the organization is developing BRAIN-FIRST2, which will investigate how brain biomarkers can be combined with clinical information to support personalized, precision-based decision-making for patients before they reach a hospital. Comprehensive findings concerning the preliminary outcomes of the BRAIN-FIRST initiative are slated for release this October in JAMA Network Open, which serves as the American Medical Association’s peer-reviewed publication.
Recognition at the Air Ambulance UK Awards
East Anglian Air Ambulance has been shortlisted for an Air Ambulance UK Award of Excellence in the Innovation of the Year category. The awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, December 3, 2026, at the Air Ambulance UK Conference held at the Telford International Centre.
Handheld device measures GFAP and UCH-L1 biomarkers from blood
How does the i-STAT Alinity analyzer detect brain injuries?
The handheld device measures GFAP and UCH-L1 biomarkers from a small blood sample within minutes. These specific biological molecules are released into the bloodstream when brain cells sustain injury.
Which funding source made the BRAIN-FIRST program possible?
The project received funding and support from Tony and Maggie Abel of Abel Homes, according to statements from East Anglian Air Ambulance.
Where will the initial research findings be published?
Detailed results from the initial BRAIN-FIRST patient cohort are scheduled for publication in October in JAMA Network Open.
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