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Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD

(Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela Traslavina, M.D)

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Specializes in: Vascular Neurology

National University of Colombia Faculty of Medicine (2005)

Professional interests include: stroke, neurological disorders

12505 E. 16th Avenue Uchealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion 2 - Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, CO 80045

(720) 848-0000

Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD is a vascular neurologist in Aurora, CO specializing in vascular neurology. She graduated from National University of Colombia Faculty of Medicine in 2005 and has 19 years of experience. Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD is affiliated with UCHealth, University of Colorado Medicine, UCHealth Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center - Anschutz Medical Campus and UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS INCORPORATED.

Office Locations

Address:

12401 E. 17th Avenue Leprino Building, 3rd Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

Address:

12505 E. 16th Avenue Uchealth Anschutz Inpatient Pavilion 2 - Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, CO 80045

Address:

1635 Aurora Court 4th Floor
Aurora, CO 80045

Some issues Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, 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.

hospital care	139
inpatient care	139

**Gender**
Male	59
Female	59

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	73
Black	21
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	52
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	31

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	58
Ischemic Heart Disease	47
Depression	46
Chronic Kidney Disease	58
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	19
Heart Failure	36
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	19
Diabetes	36
Dementia	32
Cancer	15

hospital care	216
inpatient care	216

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	82

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	116
Black	24
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	64
From 75 to 84	48
85 and over	28
Less than 65	26

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	60
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	39
Chronic Kidney Disease	58
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	37
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	42
Dementia	42
Cancer	13

hospital care	171
inpatient care	171

**Gender**
Male	67
Female	66

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	83
Black	28
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	50
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	14
Less than 65	33

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	62
Stroke	50
Ischemic Heart Disease	47
Depression	49
Chronic Kidney Disease	59
Asthma	18
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	23
Heart Failure	30
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	39
Dementia	37
Cancer	13

**Gender**
Male	76
Female	88

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	111
Black	24
Hispanic	18
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	61
From 75 to 84	46
85 and over	19
Less than 65	38

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	63
Stroke	55
Ischemic Heart Disease	53
Depression	45
Chronic Kidney Disease	57
Asthma	15
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	18
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	21
Diabetes	45
Dementia	41
Cancer	15

hospital care	197
inpatient care	197

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2017 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD treated as a vascular neurologist in Aurora, CO were hospital care and inpatient care.

doctor visit	13
hospital care	180
inpatient care	180

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2017 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD.

**Gender**
Male	28
Female	29

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	9
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	38
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	1
Other	0

**Age**
75 to 84	13
85 and over	6
Less than 65	12
65 to 74	22

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD From 2017 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, chronic kidney disease and stroke.

Hypertension	30
High Cholesterol	25
Stroke	22
Ischemic Heart Disease	19
Depression	17
Chronic Kidney Disease	23
Asthma	5
Osteoporosis	3
Heart Failure	13
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	8
Diabetes	16
Atrial Fibrillation	8
Cancer	5
Dementia	15

Education & Training

Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD graduated from National University of Colombia Faculty of Medicine in 2005. She completed residency at Loyola University Affiliated Hospitals. She has a state license in Colorado.

Medical School: National University of Colombia Faculty of Medicine (2005)

Residency: Loyola University Affiliated Hospitals (2015)

Licensed In: Colorado

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCHealth

University of Colorado Medicine

UCHealth Stroke and Brain Aneurysm Center - Anschutz Medical Campus

UNIVERSITY PHYSICIANS INCORPORATED

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General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Abbott Laboratories	$2,366 AMPLATZER Occluders $2,366
Acorda Therapeutics, Inc	$77 AMPYRA $77
Medtronic USA, Inc.	$60 Reveal LINQ $60
Janssen Scientific Affairs, LLC	$26 XARELTO $26

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$1,916
Consulting Fee	$400
Food and Beverage	$214

Research Payments

Dr. Karen Dianne Orjuela, MD has received 39 research payments totaling $98,659.

Biography

Dr. Karen Orjuela is a physician who specializes in vascular neurology. In addition to English, Dr. Orjuela (or staff) speaks Spanish and French. In her practice, Dr. Orjuela focuses on stroke and neurological disorders. She is affiliated with UCHealth and the University of Colorado Medicine. Her education and training includes medical school at National University of Colombia Faculty of Medicine and residency at a hospital affiliated with Loyola University.