Which tool is used by EMS to assess for large vessel occlusion (LVO)?

The RACE score is specifically designed to assess for large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the context of acute stroke evaluations conducted by emergency medical services (EMS). The RACE score evaluates several clinical parameters that are indicative of the presence of an LVO, such as the patient's level of consciousness, arm movement, leg movement, and facial droop.

Using the RACE score allows EMS personnel to identify patients who may benefit from rapid transport to a primary stroke center or a comprehensive stroke center, where advanced imaging and potential interventions can be quickly initiated. The score facilitates efficient and accurate triage for patients experiencing strokes, enabling timely interventions that are critical for optimal treatment outcomes.

In contrast, the FAST score, while useful for quickly identifying signs of stroke, does not specifically assess for LVO. A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging tool used after the initial assessment to visualize the brain's structure but is not utilized directly by EMS in real-time assessments. The NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) is a comprehensive tool used to quantify the severity of a stroke but is not primarily aimed at evaluating LVO in pre-hospital settings.

Thus, the RACE score stands out as the most appropriate tool for EMS to assess for large vessel oc