Autonomic dysreflexia in spinal cord injury

Abstract

Autonomic dysreflexia is a relatively common condition in people who have a spinal cord injury above the level of T6. It is a potentially life-threatening; without timely and effective treatment, it can have deleterious cardiophysiological and systemic consequences. It is therefore imperative for medical professionals to have a clear understanding of its acute management, and be prepared to provide support and education to those caring for at-risk patients. In this paper we provide practical guidance and supporting evidence regarding the management of autonomic dysreflexia in adults with spinal cord injury.