Autonomous dysreflexia (AD) is a life-threatening condition that occurs in patients with spinal cord injury at the Th6 level and above. As a result of AD, dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system occurs, which leads to an uncoordinated sympathetic reaction, and can result in a potentially life-threatening increase in blood pressure, a hypertensive crisis, and even death. In about 85% of cases of AD, the cause is bladder overdistension. Urologists need to understand the clinical features of this condition and how to help patients with AD.
Keywords: autonomic dysreflexia; blood pressure; headache; spinal cord; traumatic spinal cord injury.