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Autonomic Dysreflexia After Spinal Cord Injury: Beyond the Basics

  • Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation (J Donovan, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this article is to update health care providers on recommended identification and management strategies for autonomic dysreflexia (AD), as well as an in-depth discussion of pharmacological management of AD. In addition, this article will focus on prevention strategies and less commonly recognized causes of AD.

Recent Finding

Clinical practice guidelines are available with effective evaluation and management strategies to treat individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) presenting to health care professionals with AD. Three common yet easily overlooked causes of AD are distended urinary leg drainage bags preventing the flow of urine from the bladder, abdominal binders, and pressure injuries. Prevention strategies for those with recurrent AD include treatment with alpha-blockers.

Summary

Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life-threatening emergency which requires quick recognition, identification of the cause, and pharmacological management as the cause is being reversed. Excellent guidelines have been developed for the evaluation and management of AD.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ, 07052, USA

    Todd A. Linsenmeyer & Kathryn Gibbs

  2. Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA

    Todd A. Linsenmeyer

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA

    Todd A. Linsenmeyer & Kathryn Gibbs

  4. Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Ryan Solinsky

  5. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Ryan Solinsky

  6. Spaulding Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA

    Ryan Solinsky

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  1. Todd A. Linsenmeyer
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Correspondence to Todd A. Linsenmeyer.

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Linsenmeyer, T.A., Gibbs, K. & Solinsky, R. Autonomic Dysreflexia After Spinal Cord Injury: Beyond the Basics. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 8, 443–451 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-020-00300-5

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