Autonomic Dysreflexia
Pronunciation: aw-toh-NOM-ik dis-reh-FLEK-see-uh
A potentially life-threatening syndrome of sudden, severe hypertension triggered by a noxious stimulus below the level of injury in individuals with spinal cord injury at T6 or above.
Full Definition
Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) occurs when an unmodulated sympathetic response to a stimulus below the spinal cord injury level—such as a full bladder, bowel impaction, or pressure injury—produces a rapid, severe rise in blood pressure. The reflex arc is unregulated due to the loss of supraspinal inhibitory control. Clinical manifestations include pounding headache, profuse sweating above the lesion level, flushing, and bradycardia. It is a medical emergency and is extensively documented in spinal cord injury rehabilitation literature, emergency protocols, and patient education materials. Editors must spell it as two words ('autonomic dysreflexia') and not confuse it with orthostatic hypotension, a related but opposite autonomic phenomenon.
Usage
Usage note: Always two words; never hyphenated. Expand the abbreviation 'AD' on first reference. Distinguish from orthostatic hypotension in all documents.
In Context
- "The patient with T4 complete spinal cord injury experienced an episode of autonomic dysreflexia triggered by urinary retention." — Emergency rehabilitation nursing note
- "The abbreviation 'AD' must be expanded to autonomic dysreflexia on first use in all clinical documents due to potential confusion with other AD abbreviations." — Editorial style guidance