LEXINGTON, Ky. — A new initiative at the University of Kentucky is utilizing cutting-edge bedside imaging technology in the UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital Emergency Department with the goal of diagnosing a serious, vision-threatening condition faster and potentially preventing irreversible blindness.

The program stems from research by Jagannadha "Jay" Avasarala, M.D., Ph.D., a neurologist with the Kentucky Neuroscience Institute and professor of neurology at UK College of Medicine. His latest study on the subject, published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, revealed a critical blind spot in how emergency departments across the globe diagnose giant cell arteritis (GCA), a condition involving blood vessel inflammation that can suddenly block blood flow to the eye and cause blindness.

The findings revealed that many patients at or over 50 who arrive in emergency departments with sudden vision changes are not tested for this potentially blinding disease. GCA is considered a medical emergency by both the American Stroke Association and the American Academy of Ophthalmology, yet no emergency department guidelines currently require hospitals to track or rapidly evaluate these cases using imaging.

Because of these findings, the team at UK is launching a pioneering point-of-care Temporal Artery Ultrasound (TAUS) Program for evaluating GCA. The initiative marks what doctors believe is the first program in the country to integrate real-time bedside temporal artery ultrasound into emergency department care, led in part by neurology residents.

Traditionally, diagnosing GCA has relied on temporal artery biopsies or delayed outpatient imaging appointments. The new TAUS program brings ultrasound directly to the bedside in the emergency department, allowing providers to quickly identify the "halo sign," a hallmark indicator of vessel wall inflammation associated with the disease. Studies have shown that vision loss can occur in up to 20 percent of patients with giant cell arteritis worldwide if the condition is not identified and treated quickly.

"Rapid and immediate diagnosis and treatment are essential," Avasarala said. "This is done to prevent blindness."

The initiative builds on the growing use of point-of-care ultrasound across emergency medicine. Evan Vincent, M.D., program director for UK College of Medicine's Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, said the technology has transformed physicians' ability to diagnose conditions quickly at the bedside.

The new program is led by Suhas Gangadhara, M.D., UK College of Medicine assistant professor of neurology, with support from Vincent and UK's emergency medicine ultrasound experts. The initiative also creates a unique educational opportunity for neurology residents, who will help perform and interpret the ultrasounds in emergency settings.

"There is no program like this across the country, certainly not from a resident's perspective, let alone from the emergency department perspective," said Gangadhara. "Our residents are learning a new technique and will be at the forefront of this project."

Providers hope the initiative will ultimately help establish a new national standard for diagnosing vascular emergencies affecting the eye—one centered on faster bedside evaluation, quicker treatment and better outcomes for patients at risk of losing their vision.