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Home > ND Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD

(220 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurosurgery

Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy

Professional interests include: stroke, aneurysm

700 1st Avenue S
Fargo, ND 58103

(701) 234-4036

Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD is a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND specializing in neurosurgery. He graduated from Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy. Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD is affiliated with Sanford Health and Sanford Medical Center Fargo.

Office Locations

Sanford Health

2301 25th Street S.
Fargo, ND 58103

(701) 234-4023

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700 1st Avenue S
Fargo, ND 58103

(701) 234-4036

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Some issues Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD can help you with:

Stroke

A stroke is a medical emergency that occurs when a blood vessel supplying oxygen and nutrients to the brain is ruptured or blocked. The brain cannot function without a steady supply of oxygen and nutrients, so when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted, even for a brief moment, brain cells begin to die. When a sufficient number of brain cells die, the brain itself can no longer function, meaning that strokes are very dangerous. Strokes can result in impaired movement, speech, cognitive ability, the impairment of important physical functions, and even death.

Anyone can have a stroke, regardless of age and health. Strokes are known to happen at random. However, certain conditions and behaviors can increase one's risk of stroke over time.

Risk factors for stroke include:

Heart disease
Older age
Smoking
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High blood cholesterol and lipids

There are two main types of stroke: ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Ischemic stroke occurs more commonly and is when a blood vessel in the brain becomes blocked. Blockages are caused by blood clots and built-up plaque (deposits of fat and cholesterol), which leads to atherosclerosis, a condition where the blood vessels narrow and harden. The resultant restricted blood flow may lead to an ischemic stroke by blocking essential oxygen to the brain, causing the heart to exert more effort to pump blood.

Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in or around the brain ruptures. The burst vessel leaks blood into surrounding brain tissue, causing irreparable brain damage.

Hemorrhagic strokes are less common and may occur from head injuries, brain aneurysms, brain tumors, and bleeding disorders, amongst other conditions.

Both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require immediate medical treatment. Medical intervention can prevent severe and life-threatening brain damage. Signs of stroke include:

-Disorientation or confusion

-Difficulty speaking

-Difficulty walking

-Impaired vision

-Weakness in the face, legs, or arms

-Severe headaches

When someone suspected of having a stroke reaches the hospital, the patient will usually receive a CT or other scan that provides an image of the brain. The scan results can reveal clotted or leaking blood in the brain. Physical exams, neurological exams, and blood tests may also be used to check for blood clotting and sugar. Treatment begins generally immediately if a stroke is detected.

Medical treatment for ischemic strokes includes a thrombolytic medicine which breaks up and disperses blood clots. This medicine can greatly improve stroke recovery and long-term health. However, the thrombolytic medicine must be administered as soon as possible to achieve these results. Other treatments for ischemic strokes are blood thinners and thrombectomy, a surgical procedure to remove a blood clot in the brain. Thrombectomy is performed by inserting a catheter (thin needle) into the artery to reach the blood clot and mechanically remove it. With the clot removed, normal blood flow to the brain resumes. Thrombectomy is typically performed at most six hours after a patient shows signs of a stroke.

Hemorrhagic strokes are treated with blood-saving medication and surgery. For a hemorrhagic stroke caused by the rupture of an aneurysm (blood vessel bulges), surgery to stem the bleeding aneurysm and vessel may be used. One surgical technique is stent-assisted coiling, which adds a stent (small wire-meshed tube) into the blood vessel to block the leaking opening of the aneurysm. A non-surgical procedure is endovascular coiling, where a catheter (thin, hollow needle) places a platinum wire coil at the spot of the aneurysm. The coil blocks bleeding and prevents the aneurysm from continuing to leak blood. These procedures are usually combined with blood-thickening medications. Blood transfusions may be administered if substantial blood loss has occurred.

Since stroke patients may have lost some essential functions while the blood flow to their brains was obstructed, both ischemic stroke and hemorrhage stroke patients may receive post-stroke rehabilitation to rebuild their physical and mental abilities. Some restorative treatments include occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Patients may also receive care from neurologists, who can assist patients in recovering certain brain functions and cognitive abilities, and rehabilitation psychologists, who may help patients with their emotional, behavioral, and cognitive recovery. Some stroke patients require lengthy rehabilitation and may never fully regain function, while others may recover more quickly. While the fastest recovery improvements are usually seen in the first three or four months, stroke rehabilitation can last for years.

If someone begins to show signs of stroke, contact emergency services and call 9-1-1 immediately since blood flow must be restored as soon as possible to help avoid significant brain damage. If an ambulance takes the person to the hospital, paramedics can initiate stroke treatment as soon as the patient enters the ambulance, allowing for more prompt medical intervention and care.

In The News (see more mentions in the news)

"Mr. History heads to front of the class again after stroke", Sanford Health

"Strokes: 5 surprising facts about who's at risk", Sanford Health

"Stroke team innovates new procedure to save college student", Sanford Health

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 5%

By Volume:

angiogram

carotid arteriogram

carotid artery stenting

cervicocerebral arteriogram

embolization

minimally invasive procedures

vascular procedures

vertebral arteriogram

By Affordability:

cervicocerebral arteriogram

cervicocerebral angiogram

vertebral angiogram

vertebral arteriogram

In 2023, among providers in related specialties within North Dakota, Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD performed more angiogram (angiography), carotid arteriogram, carotid artery stenting, cervicocerebral arteriogram, embolization, minimally invasive procedures, vascular procedures, and vertebral arteriogram procedures for Medicare patients than 95% of them and he also had a list price for angiogram (angiography), arteriogram, carotid angiogram, carotid arteriogram, cervicocerebral arteriogram, cervicocerebral (head and neck) angiogram, vertebral angiogram, and vertebral arteriogram that was lower than the list prices billed to Medicare by 95% of them. Actual amounts paid by patients can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including insurance coverage. A lower list price, however, might mean lower fees when paying without insurance.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2015 were vascular procedures, minimally invasive procedures and thrombectomy (blood clot removal).

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

doctor visit	11
minimally invasive procedures	12
thrombectomy (blood clot removal)	12
vascular procedures	91

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	74
Female	92

**Age**
From 65 to 74	60
From 75 to 84	50
85 and over	32
Less than 65	24

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2015

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	53
Ischemic Heart Disease	43
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	17
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	20
Dementia	14
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2016 were vascular procedures, hospital care, inpatient care and minimally invasive procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

catheterization	30
doctor visit	75
hospital care	52
inpatient care	52
minimally invasive procedures	30
spinal procedures	30
vascular procedures	243

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	81
Female	107

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	166
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	81
From 75 to 84	52
85 and over	27
Less than 65	28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2016

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	60
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	22
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	26
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	27
Dementia	19
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2017 were vascular procedures, minimally invasive procedures, catheterization and spinal procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

catheterization	18
doctor visit	44
hospital care	15
inpatient care	15
minimally invasive procedures	18
spinal procedures	18
vascular procedures	219

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	71
Female	102

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	156
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	81
From 75 to 84	50
85 and over	14
Less than 65	28

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2017

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	54
Ischemic Heart Disease	47
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	7
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	29
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	25
Dementia	12
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2018 were vascular procedures, spinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures and catheterization.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

catheterization	16
decompression surgery	14
doctor visit	194
minimally invasive procedures	16
nerve procedures	14
spinal procedures	30
vascular procedures	103

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	77
Female	110

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	166
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	89
From 75 to 84	51
85 and over	15
Less than 65	32

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2018

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	66
Stroke	26
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	8
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	28
Dementia	11
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2019 were vascular procedures, spinal procedures, nerve procedures and decompression surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

catheterization	16
decompression surgery	22
doctor visit	190
minimally invasive procedures	16
nerve procedures	22
spinal procedures	38
vascular procedures	171

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	95
Female	125

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	198
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	102
From 75 to 84	65
85 and over	19
Less than 65	34

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2019

Hypertension	73
High Cholesterol	61
Stroke	28
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	44
Chronic Kidney Disease	35
Asthma	6
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	15
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	22
Diabetes	30
Dementia	14
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2020 were vascular procedures, spinal procedures, nerve procedures and decompression surgery.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	31
catheterization	15
decompression surgery	35
doctor visit	261
minimally invasive procedures	15
neck surgery	16
nerve procedures	35
spinal procedures	65
vascular procedures	103

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	114
Female	135

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	226
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	11

**Age**
From 65 to 74	130
From 75 to 84	69
85 and over	20
Less than 65	30

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2020

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	22
Ischemic Heart Disease	41
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	39
Asthma	5
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	18
Diabetes	27
Dementia	10
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2021 were vascular procedures, spinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures and catheterization.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	12
catheterization	22
decompression surgery	19
doctor visit	178
minimally invasive procedures	22
nerve procedures	19
spinal procedures	53
vascular procedures	153

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	103
Female	122

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	201
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	118
From 75 to 84	70
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2021

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	32
Ischemic Heart Disease	49
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	24
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	32
Dementia	10
Cancer	10

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND during 2022 were vascular procedures, spinal procedures, minimally invasive procedures and nerve procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

catheterization	16
decompression surgery	22
doctor visit	170
minimally invasive procedures	28
nerve procedures	22
spinal procedures	38
stent placement (stenting)	12
vascular procedures	118

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	95
Female	118

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	195
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	104
From 75 to 84	69
85 and over	17
Less than 65	23

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD in 2022

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	41
Ischemic Heart Disease	36
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	9
Osteoperosis	16
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	19
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	31
Dementia	9
Cancer	19

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2015 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Fargo, ND were vascular procedures, spinal procedures, hospital care and inpatient care.

arthrodesis (bone fusion surgery)	21
catheterization	19
decompression surgery	22
doctor visit	140
hospital care	33
inpatient care	33
minimally invasive procedures	19
neck surgery	16
nerve procedures	22
spinal procedures	38
stent placement (stenting)	12
thrombectomy (blood clot removal)	12
vascular procedures	150

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2015 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD.

**Gender**
Male	88
Female	113

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	163
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	1
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	59
85 and over	18
Less than 65	24
65 to 74	95

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD From 2015 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and depression.

Hypertension	74
High Cholesterol	67
Stroke	39
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	34
Asthma	9
Osteoporosis	12
Heart Failure	23
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	27
Atrial Fibrillation	15
Cancer	11
Dementia	12

Education & Training

Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD graduated from Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy. He completed residency at University of Manitoba Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Board Certification: Royal College of Physician & Surgeons of Canada: Neurological Surgery and has a state license in North Dakota.

Medical School: Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy

Residency: University of Manitoba Affiliated Hospitals

Board Certification: Board Certification: Royal College of Physician & Surgeons of Canada: Neurological Surgery

Licensed In: North Dakota

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Sanford Health

Sanford Medical Center Fargo

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.77 out of 5 stars based on 220 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Fargo, ND.

4.77

Overall Rating

(220 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Alexander Drofa, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Medtronic USA, Inc.	$16,705 Axium $10,988	PIPELINE $4,613	Solitaire $996	O-ARM-Spine $83	MindFrame Capture LP $25
MicroVention, Inc.	$4,738 Scepter XC Balloon Catheter $969	Sofia $389	LVIS $348	Scepter C Balloon Catheter $312	NEUROLOGICAL PRODUCT $173	Other $2,547
Globus Medical, Inc.	$3,252 Altera $1,456	RISE Intra LIF $1,228	RISE $396	RISE-L $97	Direct Look Lat $75
Medtronic Neurovascular	$2,244 Flow Diversion $2,041	Coils $107	Neurovascular Access Delivery $96
Covidien LP	$1,810 ARC $1,794	Trellis $3	$13
Other	$5,006 SOLITAIRE X $1,387	ACE $701	Sports Medicine $597	Onyx $513	Apollo $366	Other $1,443

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$17,296
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$10,920
Food and Beverage	$5,367
Entertainment	$173

Biography

Dr. Alexander Drofa is a specialist in neurosurgery. Dr. Drofa obtained his medical school training at Saint Petersburg State Pediatric Medical Academy and performed his residency at a hospital affiliated with the University of Manitoba. In his practice, he is particularly interested in stroke and aneurysm. His average patient rating is 5.0 stars (out of 5). He has received distinctions including Guardian Angel Awards and New to Sanford Award. Dr. Drofa is professionally affiliated with Sanford Medical Center Fargo.