Inhibition of fibrin formation reduces neuroinflammation and improves long-term outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage

•Fibrinogen levels were increased in plasma samples of patients with ICH.•Hirudin binds to thrombin and inhibits the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin.•In a mouse model of ICH, blockade of fibrin formation using hirudin reduced neuroinflammation and improved the long-term outcome.•Hirudin treatment reduced leukocyte accumulation in the brain and shifted microglia toward an anti-inflammatory phenotype.