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Katherine S. Mathias, PA

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Specializes in: Neurosurgery
Professional interests include: acoustic neuroma, stroke, acromegaly, and more.
18109 Prince Philip Drive Suite 155
Olney, MD 20832

Katherine S. Mathias, PA is in McLean, VA specializing in neurosurgery. Katherine S. Mathias, PA is affiliated with MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital, MedStar Health and MEDSTAR MEDICAL GROUP II LLC.

View Provider's Full Profile (301) 570-7415

Office Locations

Address:

1420 Beverly Road Suite 210
McLean, VA 22101

Address:

15225 Shady Grove Road Suite 306b
Rockville, MD 20850

Address:

18109 Prince Philip Drive Suite 155
Olney, MD 20832

Some issues Katherine S. Mathias, PA 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.

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2013 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Katherine S. Mathias, PA for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Katherine S. Mathias, PA treated as in McLean, VA were emergency care, lab tests, inpatient care and urologic procedures.

biological response modifier (BRM) therapy 35
blood draw 14
catheterization 15
chemotherapy 35
decompression surgery 10
doctor visit 69
emergency care 314
hospital care 87
inpatient care 87
lab tests 124
minor procedures 16
nerve procedures 10
spinal procedures 10
urologic procedures 87
wound repair (e.g. stitches) 16

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2013 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Katherine S. Mathias, PA.

Gender
Male 54
Female 45
Ethnicity
Black / African American 5
Asian / Pacific Islander 4
Non-Hispanic White 63
Native American / Alaskan Native
Hispanic 3
Other 2
Age
75 to 84 35
85 and over 16
Less than 65 5
65 to 74 29

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Katherine S. Mathias, PA From 2013 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Katherine S. Mathias, PA treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, ischemic heart disease and diabetes.

Hypertension 57
High Cholesterol 52
Stroke 1
Ischemic Heart Disease 22
Depression 11
Chronic Kidney Disease 17
Asthma 1
Osteoporosis 3
Heart Failure 6
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease 2
Diabetes 18
Atrial Fibrillation 4
Cancer 7
Dementia 6

Education & Training

She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistant and has a state license in Maryland.

Board Certification: National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, Physician Assistant

Licensed In: Maryland

Affiliations & Hospitals

Katherine S. Mathias, PA is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital
MedStar Health
MEDSTAR MEDICAL GROUP II LLC

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Katherine S. Mathias, PA appears to accept the following insurance providers: CIGNA Choice Fund PPO, MAMSI, First Health PPO, Blue Choice, Golden Rule, Great-West Healthcare, TRICARE, Community Care Network (CCN), Coventry, TRICARE Reserve Select, Aetna Managed Choice POS, Beech Street PPO, Aetna HMO, Kaiser Select, Kaiser Permanente, CIGNA EPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, CIGNA Indemnity, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Coventry National Network PPO, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Cigna, Virginia Premier Health Plan, WellPoint, Aetna, CIGNA Network Open Access, Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), HealthyBlue PPO, MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice, CareFirst NASCO, CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO, Traditional Medicare Fee for Service, United Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO), Innovation Health: Open POS Plus, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families, Carefirst EPO, Innovation Health: HMO & EPO Plus, United Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program, CareFirst Administrators, United Student Resources, United Select HMO - EPO/NPP, United MD IPA Preferred (POS), United Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO), Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP), Innovation Health: Network Only Plus, United MD IPA (HMO), United Choice Plus, CareFirst Blue Card Program (Out-of-area BCBS plans), Innovation Health: PPO, HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO, MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance, United Choice, United Optimum Choice, Federal Employee Program (Std/Basic PPO/Blue Focus), Innovation Health: POS, Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS), Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus, United Select Plus (POS), CareFirst BC/BS Advantage Core/Enhanced, United Erickson Advantage Plans, Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice, Carefirst Healthy Blue (HMO/POS), Health Services for Children with Special Needs (HSCSN), D-SNP), I-SNP, CareFirst MedStar PPO, CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity, United Core Essential (HMO), Innovation Health: POS Plus, HumanaChoice PPO, United Nursing Home Plan (C-SNP, Innovation Health: Open POS II, Innovation Health: Indemnity, United GEHA (for all other states) Compass Rose, Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, United Navigate, Carefirst Blue Preferred PPO, Police and Fire Clinic, Employee Health Plan (EHP) and CareFirst MedStar Select PPO.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Katherine S. Mathias, PA accepts the following insurance providers:

CIGNA Choice Fund PPO
MAMSI
First Health PPO
Blue Choice
Golden Rule
Great-West Healthcare
TRICARE
Community Care Network (CCN)
Coventry
TRICARE Reserve Select
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Biography

Ms. Katherine Mathias' area of specialization is neurosurgery. Her clinical interests include scoliosis, spinal cord tumor, and dystonia. Ms. Mathias's professional affiliations include MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital and MedStar Montgomery Medical Center.

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