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Farhad Bahrassa, MD, FAANS

Assistant Professor
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About

Titles

Assistant Professor

Biography

Dr. Farhad Bahrassa is a board-certified neurosurgeon and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Yale School of Medicine Department of Neurosurgery. He completed undergraduate and medical school at Boston University via the 7-year accelerated BA/MD program. He completed residency in Neurosurgery at Albany Medical Center with his training covering all aspects of general and subspecialty neurosurgery. During fellowship he continued to specialize in diagnosis and management of neurovascular disorders--conditions affecting the blood vessels of the brain, head, neck, spine, and spinal cord. He has expertise in both open surgical and endovascular treatments of these conditions including cerebral aneurysms, arteriovenous malformations, carotid artery stenosis, and stroke. He also specializes in spinal vascular malformations, vertebral artery stenosis, intracranial artery stenosis, and embolization of intracranial tumors, head and neck lesions, and spinal tumors. He has specific interest in combining endovascular treatment with surgical treatment when appropriate, as well as utilizing advanced technology including bi-plane angiography and neurosurgical operating rooms with state-of-the art equipment and design. He has a special commitment to excellent patient care and avoiding complications. His approach is "quality over quantity" when it comes to treating neurosurgical disorders. Before joining Yale, he practiced for over 4 years in Springfield, MA at Baystate Medical Center where he was Director of Vascular Neurosurgery, Assistant Professor of Surgery (Neurosurgery) at UMass Medical School, and Assistant Professor of Neurosurgery at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is a member of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), and the AANS/CNS Joint Cerebrovascular Section.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Fellow
Albany Medical Center (2014)
MD
Boston University School of Medicine (2007)
BA
Boston University, Medical Science (2004)

Research

Overview

Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke With the Penumbra System in Routine Practice: COMPLETE Registry Results

Predictors of Extended Length of Stay Following Treatment of Unruptured Adult Cerebral Aneurysms: A Study of The National Inpatient Sample

Transcarotid Artery Revascularization for Patients with Carotid Stenosis in a Neurosurgical Practice

Thirty- and 90- Day Readmissions after Treatment of Traumatic Subdural Hematoma: A National Trend Analysis.

Factor Xa Inhibitor-Related Intracranial Hemorrhage, Results From a Multicenter, Observational Cohort Receiving Prothrombin Complex Concentrates

Stent-assisted treatment of unruptured and ruptured intracranial aneurysms: Clinical and angiographic outcome

International Neurosurgical Residency Rotations: Who Really Benefits?

Neuroanesthesia in the Vascular Interventional Radiology Suite

Craniotomy Infections: a quality improvement project to establish a policy for reducing craniotomy infections

Propofol Infusion Syndrome: a quality improvement project to establish a criteria for risk assessment and diagnosis of propofol infusion syndrome in traumatic brain injury patients

Nutrition in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients--a quality improvement project to determine nutritional state and needs of severe traumatic brain injury patients

Cervical Spine Clearance Protocol in Comatose Trauma Patients--a quality improvement project to establish a protocol for cervical spine clearance in comatose trauma patients with normal cervical spine imaging

Modified Fragility Index in Patients Undergoing Craniotomy for Subdural Hematoma

Modified Fragility Index in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy for Stroke

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Patients with Low NIHSS

Mechanical Thrombectomy for Patients Over Age 80

Middle Menigeal Artery Embolization for Chronic Subdural Hematoma

Genetic Sequencing of Endovascular Aneurysm Biopsies

Genetic Sequencing of Thrombus Retrieved During Mechanical Thrombectomy

SWIFT PRIME Trial

COMPLETE Registry

RAGE Registry

GEL THE NECK Trial

FRED Trial

LVIS Pivotal Study and Trial

MIND Trial

SURF Trial

Neuroform Registry

Enterprise Registry

ASPECTS versus CT Perfusion in Patients with Large Vessel Occlusion

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Decision Tree

Blood Pressure Management in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy

Medical Research Interests

Carotid Stenosis; Carotid-Cavernous Sinus Fistula; Cerebral Revascularization; Cerebrovascular Disorders; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System; Intracranial Aneurysm; Intracranial Arteriosclerosis; Intracranial Arteriovenous Malformations; Intracranial Embolism; Microvascular Decompression Surgery; Moyamoya Disease; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial; Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Vasospasm, Intracranial

Public Health Interests

Clinical Trials; Health Care Quality, Efficiency; Health Care Financing; Health Equity, Disparities, Social Determinants and Justice

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Farhad Bahrassa's published research.

Publications

2024

2020

Academic Achievements & Community Involvement

  • activity

    Yale Department of Neurosurgery Quality and Safety Committee

  • activity

    State of Connecticut Stroke Advisory Council

  • activity

    Saint Francis Trauma Peer Review and Quality Improvement

  • activity

    Saint Francis Trauma Peer Review and Quality Improvement Committee

  • activity

    Saint Francis Neuro-Oncology Multidisciplinary Tumor Board

Clinical Care

Overview

Farhad Bahrassa, MD, is a neurosurgeon who uses both open surgical and endovascular procedures to treat conditions affecting the blood vessels of the brain, head, neck, spine, and spinal cord. He treats a range of conditions, from stroke and aneurysms that affect the brain to spinal vascular malformations.

“I am passionate and excited about my work, because for me it is really a pleasure to be a neurosurgeon. I would not even be a doctor if I was not a neurosurgeon,” says Dr. Bahrassa, who comes from a family of physicians. He became interested in the neurosurgery at age 16 after shadowing in a summer program. “I watched a brain tumor surgery and became hooked,” he says. “The field is so interesting and advancing rapidly. Plus, there are both scientific and technical aspects, as well as artistic and creative nuances that come into the work.”

He has a specific interest in combining endovascular treatment with surgical treatment when appropriate, utilizing advanced technology including bi-plane angiography (an imaging technique), and neurosurgical operating rooms with state-of-the-art equipment and design. He has a special commitment to excellent patient care and avoiding complications.

Dr. Bahrassa’s favorite part of his work is spending time with patients and families, and making sure they fully understand their condition and care. “I believe it is really important to take the necessary time to go over everything in detail,” Dr. Bahrassa says. “I tell patients I think of them as my family and will provide treatment in a manner that is mutually agreed upon based on a good relationship, trust, and best available medical information.”

Clinical Specialties

Neurosurgery; Neurovascular Surgery; Interventional Neuroradiology; Neurosurgical Oncology; Spine Surgery; Pediatric Neurosurgery

Fact Sheets

Board Certifications

  • Neurological Surgery

    Certification Organization
    AB of Neurological Surgery
    Original Certification Date
    2018

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