Autonomic Dysreflexia and Blood Pressure Variability in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury

Author(s):  
D. H. Kong ◽  
S. E. Noh ◽  
M. C. Joo
Author(s):  
Koffi Kla

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD), a potentially emergent clinical syndrome that can occur in patients with spinal cord injury, is characterized by a sudden rise in blood pressure caused by uncontrolled sympathetic activation of the autonomic system below the level of the lesion. When caring for spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, a pretreatment plan should be in place if an AD episode occurs. Physical manifestations of an AD episode can include headache, flushing, and diaphoresis above the lesion. Treatment should be aimed at identifying and eliminating the trigger stimulus and must be prompt to avoid serious complications of blood pressure elevation such as seizures, intracranial hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, or even death. When nonpharmacological measures fail, quick-onset, short-acting antihypertensive medications should be given to lower blood pressure.


2005 ◽  
Vol 99 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. William Sheel ◽  
Andrei V. Krassioukov ◽  
J. Timothy Inglis ◽  
Stacy L. Elliott

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) can occur during penile vibratory stimulation in men with spinal cord injury, but this is variable, and the association with lesion level is unclear. The purpose of this study was to characterize the cardiovascular responses to penile vibratory stimulation in men with spinal cord injury. We hypothesized that those with cervical injuries would demonstrate a greater degree of AD compared with men with thoracic injuries. We also questioned whether the rise in blood pressure could be attenuated by sildenafil citrate. Participants were classified as having cervical ( n = 8) or thoracic ( n = 5) injuries. While in a supine position, subjects were instrumented with an ECG, and arterial blood pressure was determined beat by beat. Subjects reported to the laboratory twice and received an oral dose of sildenafil citrate (25–100 mg) or no medication. Penile vibratory stimulation was performed using a handheld vibrator to the point of ejaculation. At ejaculation during the nonmedicated trials, the cervical group had a significant decrease in heart rate (−5–10 beats/min) and increase in mean arterial blood pressure (+70–90 mmHg) relative to resting conditions, whereas the thoracic group had significant increases in both heart rate (+8–15 beats/min) and mean arterial pressure (+25–30 mmHg). Sildenafil citrate had no effect on the change in heart rate or mean arterial pressure in either group. In summary, men with cervical injuries had more pronounced AD during penile vibratory stimulation than men with thoracic injuries. Administration of sildenafil citrate had no effect on heart rate or blood pressure during penile vibratory stimulation in men with spinal cord injury.


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2464 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahul Sachdeva ◽  
Tom E. Nightingale ◽  
Andrei V. Krassioukov

Cognitive impairment following spinal cord injury (SCI) has received considerable attention in recent years. Among the various systemic effects of SCI that contribute towards cognitive decline in this population, cardiovascular dysfunction is arguably one of the most significant. The majority of individuals with a cervical or upper-thoracic SCI commonly experience conditions called orthostatic hypotension and autonomic dysreflexia, which are characterized by dangerous fluctuations in systemic blood pressure (BP). Herein, we review the potential impact of extreme BP lability on vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in individuals with SCI. Albeit preliminary in the SCI population, there is convincing evidence that chronic hypotension and hypertension in able-bodied individuals results in devastating impairments in cerebrovascular health, leading to VCI. We discuss the pertinent literature, and while drawing mechanistic comparisons between able-bodied cohorts and individuals with SCI, we emphasize the need for additional research to elucidate the mechanisms of cognitive impairment specific to the SCI population. Lastly, we highlight the current and potential future therapies to manage and treat BP instability, thereby possibly mitigating VCI in the SCI population.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eun Sun Lee ◽  
Min Cheol Joo

Objective. To investigate the prevalence of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) using ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and the autonomic dysfunction following spinal cord injury (ADFSCI) questionnaire in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) above T6.Methods. Twenty-eight patients diagnosed with SCI above T6 were enrolled. ABPM and ADFSCI were utilized to assess AD. Using ABPM, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate (HR) were measured at 30-minute intervals. AD was defined as SBP 20 mmHg higher than basal SBP, and the number of AD events was counted. The ADFSCI questionnaire evaluates the severity and frequency of the AD symptoms.Results. According to the ABPM, AD occurred in 26 patients and AD events occurred5.8±4.7times. Average daytime and nighttime SBP were119.9±18.8 mmHg and123.8±21.2 mmHg, respectively, and the nighttime mean SBP appeared to be 4 mmHg higher than daytime mean SBP. These findings suggest the loss of nocturnal BP dipping in SCI patients. ADFSCI results revealed that 16 of the patients evaluated were symptomatic while 12 were asymptomatic.Conclusion. AD following SCI above T6 was highly prevalent and several patients seemed asymptomatic. These results suggest the necessity of proper diagnostic and therapeutic interventions for managing AD.


2016 ◽  
Vol 361 ◽  
pp. 52-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian F. Thayer ◽  
John J. Sollers ◽  
Annika Clamor ◽  
Julian Koenig ◽  
Kristofer J. Hagglund

Spinal Cord ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 401-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y-H Huang ◽  
L-I Bih ◽  
J-M Liao ◽  
S-L Chen ◽  
L-W Chou ◽  
...  

1997 ◽  
Vol 273 (4) ◽  
pp. R1361-R1366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio R. Sansone ◽  
Ralph Bianca ◽  
Rafael Cueva-Rolón ◽  
Lisbeth E. Gómez ◽  
Barry R. Komisaruk

The present study ascertained whether increases in heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) produced by vaginocervical stimulation (VS; 500 g force) persist in the unanesthetized rat after chronic spinal cord transection at selected levels. Three groups were used: spinal cord transection at T7 ( n = 10) or L5 ( n = 10) or a sham-operated control group (Sh, n = 10). In the Sh group, VS increased significantly both HR, by 95 ± 14.3 beats/min (bpm) (22 ± 3.7% above baseline), and BP, by 37 ± 5.7 mmHg (37 ± 7.7% above baseline), confirming earlier findings. In the T7 group, VS significantly decreased HR by 107 ± 21.4 bpm (27 ± 4.1% below baseline) and increased BP by 41.3 ± 12.9 mmHg (32 ± 8.3% above baseline). In response to VS, HR increased in every rat in the Sh group and decreased in every rat in the T7 group. In the L5 group, VS failed to significantly affect HR or BP. In the present study, specific levels of spinal cord transection produced differential HR and BP responses to VS in the rat. A model is presented addressing the component responses of autonomic dysreflexia that can occur, contingent on the level of spinal cord injury, in women during parturition or sexual intercourse.


2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 387-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
David S. Ditor ◽  
Mark V. Kamath ◽  
Maureen J. MacDonald ◽  
Joanne Bugaresti ◽  
Neil McCartney ◽  
...  

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 114-116
Author(s):  
Raji Thomas ◽  
Swapna Patil

Abstract Autonomic dysreflexia is an important clinical complication occurring in patients with high levels of spinal cord injury. If untreated, the acute rise in blood pressure can cause end organ damage, including intracerebral haemorrhage. Though unusual, it can be fatal with large haemorrhages causing brain herniation syndromes. Here we report the case of a patient with C6 complete tetraplegia patient who developed brainstem haemorrhage during an episode of autonomic dysreflexia. The pathophysiology and treatment methods of this condition are discussed, highlighting the importance of preventive measures to avoid the same.


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