14058
Blog
Nicola Emery, PhD

Straiņš Hospital: Building on Stroke Care Excellence with AI

Care Coordination, Stroke, Workflow
Table of Contents

Pioneering AI-Driven Stroke Care in Latvia

Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital (Stradiņš Hospital) in Riga, Latvia, stands at the forefront of stroke care. As the the first ESO-certified stroke centre in the Baltic states, it treats over 1,000 patients and performs around 200 thrombectomies each year. In 2025, its neurology department was honoured with four diamond-level Angels Awards, cementing its position among the world’s leading stroke units. Now, building on this excellence, Stradiņš Hospital has recently implemented clinical AI to further enhance efficiency in its stroke workflows.

“Stroke care is extremely time-sensitive and every minute matters,” explained Kristaps Jurjãns, MD, PhD, Head of the Stroke Unit at Stradiņš Hospital. “There are ever-growing demands on radiologists. The AI supports our team in working faster and more effectively under pressure, while helping us meet the increasing demands of stroke care today and in the future.”

Enhancing Workflow with Aidoc’s AI

Since they deployed Aidoc’s AI earlier this year, over 8,000 patient scans have been analysed, automatically notifying the team of over 500 suspected positive cases of stroke. The results are delivered to the wider stroke team via a secure mobile app, ensuring neurologists and interventional radiologists can review findings instantly, wherever they are.

For Sergejs Pavlovics, MD, Interventional Radiologist at Stradiņš Hospital, the mobile accessibility has been transformative. “If I’m on call and not yet at the hospital, I can see the scans immediately on my phone. Those extra 10 minutes can make a huge difference because in stroke, time is brain. The app gives us breathing space to act faster and prepare before even arriving.”

This ability to access images remotely is particularly valuable in Latvia’s nationwide stroke network. Patients are often transferred from smaller hospitals to Stradiņš Hospital for thrombectomy, and AI could help to expedite this process in the future.

Impact on Patient Care

While Stradiņš Hospital’s stoke team was already performing at an exceptionally high level — with door-to-needle times as fast as seven minutes — the team reports that Aidoc’s AI has added consistency and reassurance to their workflow.

“Even if our own neurologists are highly skilled in stroke imaging, AI provides a reliable second opinion, ensuring no time is wasted,” said Dr. Jurjāns. “Looking ahead, its greatest benefit could be in regional hospitals, where neuroradiologists aren’t always immediately available. If AI is adopted more widely, it could help bridge that gap and guide which patients should be transferred for thrombectomy.”

The hospital sees great potential for AI to expand access to advanced care nationwide. “If regional hospitals and primary stroke centers in Latvia adopt Aidoc’s AI, it will allow us to view their scans directly through the app, instead of waiting for images to be uploaded to the national system,” Dr. Pavlovics noted. “That could save precious time for patients who might otherwise miss the window for treatment.”

Looking Ahead: Building a Connected Stroke Network

Stradiņš Hospital is actively discussing plans with regional hospitals to broaden AI use across Latvia. By doing so, they aim to create a more connected stroke network, enabling faster, more equitable access to thrombectomy for patients — regardless of where they first present.

As Dr. Jurjāns summed up, “The biggest impact of AI isn’t just within our hospital, it’s in the potential to improve stroke care across the entire country. If more hospitals are connected, we can make decisions quicker, transfer patients sooner and, ultimately, save more lives.”

By embedding Aidoc’s AI into their workflow, Stradiņš Hospital is reaffirming its role as a pioneer in stroke care — not only for Latvia but as a model for the wider European region.

Interested in Learning More?

Set up a demo.

Explore the Latest AI Insights, Trends and Research

Follow a manual added link

Webinars

Aidoc experts, customers and industry leaders share the latest in AI benefits and adoption.

Follow a manual added link

eBooks

Explore how clinical AI can transform your health system with insights rooted in real-world experiences.

Follow a manual added link

AI Strategy

Learn how to go beyond the algorithm to develop a scalable AI strategy and implementation plan.

Follow a manual added link

Solutions

Explore how Aidoc can help increase hospital efficiency, improve outcomes and demonstrate ROI.

Nicola Emery, PhD

Nicola Emery, PhD, is a marketing expert with experience in the pharmaceutical, life sciences and technology sectors. With a strong scientific background, she brings a data-driven, analytical and creative approach to her role as Director of Marketing, Europe.

Nicola Emery, PhD
Director of Marketing, Europe

© Copyright 2025 Aidoc