| Description |
Autonomic dysreflexia, also known as autonomic hyperreflexia, is a syndrome that occurs in patients having regained spinal cord reflexes after having recovered from a previous complete spinal cord transection above T6, but it also may be seen in injuries above T10. It is generally initiated by cutaneous or visceral stimulation below the level of the injury. While surgical stimulation may trigger an episode, bladder or rectal distension are common non-surgical triggers. It is characterized by significant systemic hypertension with associated baroreceptor mediated bradycardia.1 Recent study recommendations for prevention of intraoperative autonomic dysreflexia in patients at risk suggest a substantial increase in minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) requirements, almost double the effective dose in 95% (ED95) of the population, to achieve stage 3 general anesthesia.3 |
