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Home > WA Providers > Neurosurgeons

Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD

Accepting New Patients

(97 Ratings)

Specializes in: Neurosurgery

Brown University, Alpert Medical School (2003)

Professional interests include: back pain, nerve compression (pinched nerve), stroke, and more.

550 17th Avenue Suite 540
Seattle, WA 98122

(206) 320-2800

Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD is a neurosurgeon in Seattle, WA specializing in neurosurgery. He graduated from Brown University, Alpert Medical School in 2003 and has 21 years of experience. Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD is affiliated with Swedish Health Services.

Office Locations

Address:

550 17th Avenue Suite 540
Seattle, WA 98122

Some issues Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, 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.

doctor visit	124
hospital care	50
inpatient care	50

**Gender**
Male	57
Female	81

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	75
Black	39
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	44
85 and over	18
Less than 65	26

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	52
Stroke	21
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	24
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	12
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	31
Dementia	25
Cancer	14

doctor visit	135
hospital care	71
inpatient care	71

**Gender**
Male	68
Female	87

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	89
Black	53
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	55
From 75 to 84	45
85 and over	22
Less than 65	33

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	26
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	28
Chronic Kidney Disease	29
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	10
Heart Failure	22
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	14
Diabetes	29
Dementia	21
Cancer	13

doctor visit	133
hospital care	36
inpatient care	36

**Gender**
Male	124
Female	160

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	184
Black	72
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	110
From 75 to 84	76
85 and over	44
Less than 65	54

Hypertension	71
High Cholesterol	56
Stroke	25
Ischemic Heart Disease	34
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	23
Dementia	15
Cancer	18

doctor visit	55
hospital care	16
inpatient care	16

**Gender**
Male	53
Female	55

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	77
Black	19
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	57
From 75 to 84	23
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	18
Ischemic Heart Disease	26
Depression	25
Chronic Kidney Disease	31
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	11
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	11
Diabetes	21
Dementia	11
Cancer	19

doctor visit	27
hospital care	23
inpatient care	23

**Gender**
Male	42
Female	47

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	71
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	33
From 75 to 84	37
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	25
Ischemic Heart Disease	33
Depression	31
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	25
Dementia	21
Cancer	13

doctor visit	31
hospital care	11
inpatient care	11

**Gender**
Male	48
Female	54

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	74
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	16

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	25
85 and over	11
Less than 65	16

Hypertension	67
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	16
Ischemic Heart Disease	29
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	18
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	16
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	22
Dementia	16
Cancer	12

doctor visit	94
hospital care	13
inpatient care	13

**Gender**
Male	62
Female	81

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	110
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	15

**Age**
From 65 to 74	70
From 75 to 84	37
85 and over	15
Less than 65	21

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	49
Stroke	13
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	27
Chronic Kidney Disease	22
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	16
Heart Failure	12
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	10
Diabetes	22
Dementia	13
Cancer	8

doctor visit	68

**Gender**
Male	39
Female	51

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	73
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	41
From 75 to 84	26
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	52
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	12
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	24
Chronic Kidney Disease	30
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	18
Dementia	0
Cancer	13

doctor visit	174

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD treated as a neurosurgeon in Seattle, WA were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	95
hospital care	31
inpatient care	31

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD.

**Gender**
Female	61
Male	49

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	18
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	75
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	3
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	11
75 to 84	31
Less than 65	15
65 to 74	46

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD From 2013 - 2021

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

Hypertension	54
High Cholesterol	39
Stroke	15
Ischemic Heart Disease	22
Depression	22
Chronic Kidney Disease	21
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	5
Heart Failure	11
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	6
Diabetes	19
Atrial Fibrillation	5
Dementia	12
Cancer	11

Education & Training

Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD graduated from Brown University, Alpert Medical School in 2003. He has a state license in Massachusetts.

Medical School: Brown University, Alpert Medical School (2003)

Licensed In: Massachusetts

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

Swedish Health Services

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 97 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Zachary Naren Litvack, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Seattle, WA.

4.9

Overall Rating

(97 Ratings)

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Reviews From Around The Web

Overall Rating: 5.0 2024-05-17