neurologic disorders
Spinal Cord Autonomic Dysreflexia
Diagnosis of Spinal Cord Autonomic Dysreflexia
Clinical evaluation Autonomic dysreflexia should be suspected in a patient with a spinal cord injury above the level of T6, severe hypertension, and increased sympathetic activity, especially if provoked by distention of a hollow viscus. Clinicians should suspect autonomic dysreflexia if patients have a T6 or higher spinal cord lesion and report headache. In such patients, BP should be measured immediately and corrected as needed. Any stimulus that causes pain or discomfort (eg, pressure sores, ingrown toenails) in a patient without spinal cord injury may result in autonomic dysreflexia in patients with spinal cord injury. A thorough medical evaluation may be required. 