Autonomic Dysreflexia

Question 1

Who does autonomic dysreflexia effect?

Answer 1

Patients who have had a spinal cord injury at, or above T6 spinal level.

Question 2

Where does the spinal cord injury need to occur to result in autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 2

At or above T6 spinal level

Question 3

How does autonomic dysreflexia occur?

Answer 3

Briefly, afferent signals cause a sympathetic spinal reflex via thoracolumbar outflow

Question 4

What are the briefly afferent signals usuall triggered by?

Answer 4

Faecal impaction or urinary retention

Question 5

What are the main presentinf features of autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 5

Extreme hypertension
Flushing and sweating above the level of the cord lesion
Agitation

Question 6

What are possible complications of the extreme hypertension in someome with autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 6

haemorrhagic stroke

Question 7

What is the management of autonomic dysreflexia?

Answer 7

Removal/control of the stimulus and treatment of any life-threatening hypertension and/or bradycardia.