Study on Eptacog Alfa for Treating Acute Hemorrhagic Stroke in Patients with Brain Bleeding
This trial is investigating a treatment called recombinant coagulation Factor VIIa (rFVIIa), also known as Eptacog Alfa, for patients who have experienced acute bleeding in the brain. The medication is a protein that helps blood to clot, which may reduce the effects of bleeding and potentially improve recovery.
Who can participate: Patients between 18 and 80 years old who have experienced spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sudden bleeding inside the brain) are eligible. The study medication must be administered within 120 minutes (2 hours) from the start of the stroke or from the last time the patient was known to be well. Informed consent will be obtained according to emergency research guidelines specific to each participating country.
Who cannot participate: The trial excludes patients who have had recent surgery that could increase bleeding risk, those with severe allergic reactions to the study medication, patients currently taking blood thinners, those with known bleeding disorders, patients with severe liver disease, pregnant or breastfeeding women, patients with uncontrolled high blood pressure, those who have had a previous brain hemorrhage, patients with very low levels of consciousness, and those unable to attend follow-up visits.
What the trial involves: Participants will receive either rFVIIa or a placebo as a slow injection into a vein. The main goal is to determine if administering the medication within 2 hours of stroke onset can lead to better outcomes. Researchers will monitor participants for up to 180 days, using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), which measures how well patients can perform daily activities and their level of disability or dependence. CT scans will be used to track changes in the volume of bleeding in the brain.
Investigational drug: The trial is testing rFVIIa, a hemostatic agent that works at the molecular level by activating the clotting process and promoting the formation of blood clots to stop bleeding. This medication is not yet widely adopted in standard medical practice for this condition, as research is ongoing to determine its effectiveness and safety.