MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WOWK) — WVU Medicine is now using a first-of-its-kind blood test that can detect brain bleeds and traumatic brain injuries. In some cases, it can even replace a CT scan.

If patients arrive at the emergency room within 12 hours of a head injury, the test can determine the severity of the trauma by identifying specific markers in the blood. It offers a less invasive alternative to the traditional CT scan imaging.

The test is only available in the emergency room in a few states, with West Virginia leading the way. WVU Medicine is the first in the nation to use the test not only in emergency rooms but also in intensive care units.

Hospital leaders said that the test can reduce radiation exposure, provide diagnosis information in intensive care, and help detect brain injur

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