MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center Brings NIH‑Funded Stroke Research to Long Beach

MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center will be part of a multi-centered, randomized, Phase 3 research study to determine whether the recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) can reduce bleeding in the brain in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a type of stroke with no proven treatment. The research is part of a national effort funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to identify effective therapies for one of the deadliest forms of stroke.

The study, titled Recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) for Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke Administered at Earliest Time, also referred to as the FASTEST trial, is part of a nationwide initiative to evaluate potential early interventions for hemorrhagic stroke. Participants in the clinical trial will receive either the experimental drug rFVIIa, a protein naturally produced by the body and involved in blood clotting, or a placebo with no active ingredient, along with the best standard medical care.

"Intracerebral hemorrhage is the most deadly form of stroke and occurs when a weakened blood vessel ruptures within the brain, causing bleeding that creates pressure and damages brain tissue," said Nima Ramezan, M.D., medical director, MemorialCare Neuroscience Institute, Long Beach Medical Center. "At this time, there are no treatments proven to reliably stop this bleeding. The goal of early intervention is to limit further damage, and emerging therapies administered within the first two hours may help reduce bleeding and improve patient outcomes."

Intracerebral hemorrhage accounts for more than 10% of the estimated 17 million strokes that occur worldwide each year and is the deadliest type of stroke, with a mortality rate of more than 40%. Currently, there is no effective treatment for intracerebral hemorrhage.

The FASTEST study will include adults ages 18 through 80 who experience spontaneous bleeding in the brain. The study medication will be administered within two hours of stroke onset. Because acute intracerebral hemorrhage is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate treatment, some patients may be enrolled without consent if they are poorly responsive or if a family member or other legally authorized representative is not readily available. Every attempt will be made to locate family members prior to enrollment to allow them to decide about the patient's participation in the study.

Before the study begins at Long Beach Medical Center, participation requires engaging in community outreach to provide information, answer questions, and gather public input about this important clinical research. Long Beach Medical Center will be reaching out to community members to ensure awareness and to gain as much feedback as possible.

Learn more about the FASTEST trial or call .