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QSCIS
Queensland Spinal Cord Injuries Service

Autonomic dysreflexia

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a medical emergency characterised by acute elevation of arterial blood pressure greater than 20mmHg above the resting systolic blood pressure. It occurs in individuals with an SCI at or above T6 due to unregulated sympathetic activity below the level of injury in response to a noxious stimuli. People with complete injuries are more susceptible due to the sympathetic nervous system being unregulated by their parasympathetic nervous system.

Not all people experience signs of Autonomic Dysreflexia. This is called ‘silent’ Autonomic Dysreflexia (AKA as asymptomatic AD) and should be assessed and managed with the same clinical urgency as in cases where symptoms are present.

Untreated episodes can result in stroke, seizures, myocardial infarction and death.

How autonomic dysreflexia works and why

Autonomic nervous system
Autonomic system after SCI
Sequence of events with dysreflexia
Common causes
Common symptoms

Resources

These resources can help people who have autonomic dysreflexia.

Medical emergency card - autonomic dysreflexia (AD)

A card which alerts others that the holder has autonomic dysreflexia. The card outlines symptoms, signs, common causes and treatment.

Audience: Patients with AD

Autonomic dysreflexia (AD): Facilitator resource kit

This resource kit provides healthcare workers with knowledge of awareness of the cause for and management plan of Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD).

Audience: Educational facilitators