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Hartford Hospital Offers New Treatment for Brain Bleeding

August 27, 2018

Hartford Hospital is the only hospital in the state to be approved for the new medication Andexxa to treat brain hemorrhages (bleeding) related to the use of certain blood thinners. The use of the new medication has the potential to limit brain damage due to bleeding and in some cases save lives.

Only a select group of hospitals nationwide is able to offer this medication, since it requires specific treatment protocols, medical expertise, and nursing skills to administer the medication safely. In only a few weeks since this medication was approved by the FDA, the clinicians, nurses, and pharmacists at Hartford Hospital have successfully administered this medication to several patients.

“It was successful in controlling the bleeding in almost all cases,” said Dr. Mark Alberts, Physician-in-Chief of the Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neurosciences Institute, which includes Hartford Hospital. “Indeed, HH is among the national leaders in the use of this medication.”

“Bleeding into the brain is among the worst complications of using blood thinners,” Alberts said. “Before the recent approval of this medication, there were no FDA-approved medications to use in this situation.”

Manufactured by Portola, Andexxa must be administered intravenously. It reverses the effects of the blood thinner within minutes.

Learn more about the comprehensive services of the Hartford HealthCare Ayer Neuroscience Institute here.