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Home > IA Providers > Vascular Neurologists

Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS

(Dr. Santiago Ortega Gutierrez, MD)

(391 Ratings)

Specializes in: Vascular Neurology and Interventional Radiology/Diagnostic Radiology (IR/DR)

Professional interests include: stroke, brain aneurysm embolization (coiling), tumor embolization, and more.

200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

(319) 384-2348

Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS is a vascular neurologist in Iowa City, IA specializing in vascular neurology and interventional radiology/diagnostic radiology (ir/dr). Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS is affiliated with University of Iowa and University of Iowa Health Care.

Office Locations

Address:

200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

Some issues Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS 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	113
inpatient care	113
vascular procedures	23

**Gender**
Male	28
Female	35

**Age**
From 65 to 74	16
From 75 to 84	31
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	71
Stroke	75
Ischemic Heart Disease	46
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	33
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	21
Heart Failure	33
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	27
Diabetes	25
Dementia	25
Cancer	0

**Gender**
Male	162
Female	142

**Age**
From 65 to 74	136
From 75 to 84	96
85 and over	36
Less than 65	36

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	69
Stroke	59
Ischemic Heart Disease	47
Depression	41
Chronic Kidney Disease	36
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	25
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	26
Diabetes	28
Dementia	18
Cancer	9

catheterization	12
doctor visit	17
hospital care	143
inpatient care	143
minimally invasive procedures	10
spinal procedures	12
vascular procedures	127

**Gender**
Male	100
Female	96

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	182
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	72
From 75 to 84	63
85 and over	25
Less than 65	36

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	70
Stroke	69
Ischemic Heart Disease	47
Depression	35
Chronic Kidney Disease	40
Asthma	26
Osteoperosis	9
Atrial Fibrilation	26
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	32
Dementia	22
Cancer	12

**Gender**
Male	84
Female	84

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	155
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	67
From 75 to 84	62
85 and over	19
Less than 65	20

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	75
Ischemic Heart Disease	52
Depression	36
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	30
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	20
Diabetes	37
Dementia	18
Cancer	11

catheterization	15
doctor visit	43
hospital care	154
inpatient care	154
minimally invasive procedures	30
spinal procedures	15
stent placement (stenting)	16
vascular procedures	151

**Gender**
Male	73
Female	95

**Age**
From 65 to 74	67
From 75 to 84	59
85 and over	17
Less than 65	25

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	72
Stroke	70
Ischemic Heart Disease	42
Depression	30
Chronic Kidney Disease	38
Asthma	10
Osteoperosis	7
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	20
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	25
Diabetes	26
Dementia	18
Cancer	15

catheterization	15
doctor visit	47
hospital care	180
inpatient care	180
minimally invasive procedures	26
spinal procedures	15
stent placement (stenting)	12
vascular procedures	153

**Gender**
Male	106
Female	120

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	205
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	99
From 75 to 84	67
85 and over	28
Less than 65	32

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	75
Stroke	67
Ischemic Heart Disease	50
Depression	38
Chronic Kidney Disease	46
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	8
Atrial Fibrilation	24
Heart Failure	32
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	24
Diabetes	35
Dementia	15
Cancer	11

catheterization	12
doctor visit	34
hospital care	127
inpatient care	127
minimally invasive procedures	24
spinal procedures	12
stent placement (stenting)	13
vascular procedures	104

**Gender**
Male	75
Female	88

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	150
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	76
From 75 to 84	48
85 and over	22
Less than 65	17

Hypertension	75
High Cholesterol	73
Stroke	67
Ischemic Heart Disease	48
Depression	33
Chronic Kidney Disease	48
Asthma	8
Osteoperosis	11
Atrial Fibrilation	20
Heart Failure	27
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	23
Diabetes	37
Dementia	20
Cancer	10

catheterization	32
doctor visit	109
hospital care	120
inpatient care	120
minimally invasive procedures	42
spinal procedures	32
stent placement (stenting)	11
vascular procedures	173

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2014 - 2021

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS treated as a vascular neurologist in Iowa City, IA were hospital care, inpatient care, vascular procedures and minimally invasive procedures.

catheterization	16
doctor visit	41
hospital care	134
inpatient care	134
minimally invasive procedures	28
spinal procedures	16
stent placement (stenting)	14
thrombectomy (blood clot removal)	10
vascular procedures	95

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2014 - 2021

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS.

**Gender**
Female	60
Male	57

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	62
Hispanic	0
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Other	0

**Age**
85 and over	13
75 to 84	38
Less than 65	15
65 to 74	48

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS From 2014 - 2021

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS treated were hypertension, high cholesterol, stroke and ischemic heart disease.

Hypertension	47
High Cholesterol	45
Stroke	43
Ischemic Heart Disease	30
Depression	23
Chronic Kidney Disease	25
Asthma	6
Osteoporosis	4
Heart Failure	18
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	15
Diabetes	20
Atrial Fibrillation	15
Dementia	12
Cancer	6

Education & Training

He is certified by the American Heart Association (BLS/ACLS) and has a state license in Iowa.

Board Certification: American Heart Association (BLS/ACLS) (2005)

Licensed In: Iowa

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

University of Iowa

University of Iowa Health Care

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.71 out of 5 stars based on 391 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS from all over the web to help you find the right in Iowa City, IA.

4.71

Overall Rating

(391 Ratings)

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General Payments

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

**Payments by Company**
Stryker Corporation	$269,733 Surpass $125,687	SURPASS EVOLVE $93,737	Trevo $17,487	NEUROFORM EZ 3 $12,807	Target $5,548	Other $14,467
Medtronic, Inc.	$57,147 PIPELINE $29,552	AXIUM PRIMETM $66	$27,530
Medtronic USA, Inc.	$46,150 PIPELINE $45,114	OSTEOCOOL RF ABLATION $360	Covidien-Access $158	Solitaire $117	$400
MicroVention, Inc.	$7,711 ERIC RETRIEVAL DEVICE $5,000	NEUROLOGICAL PRODUCT $1,340	WEB Aneurysm Embolization System $649	PHIL $643	HydroSoft 3D Coil $51	Other $29
Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.	$745 CorPath Imaging System $110	ARTIS icono biplane $19	Artis zee $14	$601
Other	$954 VIZ.AI LVO $611	CEREPAK UNIFORM $91	Neuromodulation $78	ACE $57	8F Base Camp Sheath System $34	Other $84

**Types of Payments**
Consulting Fee	$233,760
Travel and Lodging	$72,318
Compensation for services other than consulting, including serving as faculty or as a speaker at a venue other than a continuing education program	$68,975
Food and Beverage	$7,111
Education	$189
Other	$87

Research Payments

Dr. Santiago Ortega, MD, MS has received 26 research payments totaling $498,888.

Biography

Dr. Santiago Ortega sees patients in Iowa City, IA. His medical specialty is vascular neurology. He is professionally affiliated with the University of Iowa Health Care.