Autonomic hyperreflexia risk factors

Patients with aspinal cord injury at T7 or higherare at risk for autonomic hyperreflexia. Normally, the reflexic response to cutaneous,visceral (bladder), and proprioceptive stimuli are to some extent attenuated by descending, inhibitory impulses. However, in patients with SCI, these impulses may be curtailed, leading to uninhibited spinal cord reflexes and consequentvascular instability – initially a substanial increase BP above the level of the lesion, followed by an overzealous vagal response, withbradycardia,heart block,vasodilation, andflushingall possible

Autonomic Hyperreflexia

• Anatomy: Spinal cord injuryT7 or above
• Stimulus: Cutaneous, visceral (bladder), proprioceptive, below the level of the lesion
• Etiology: Spinal reflex which isnormallyinhibited by descending feedback
• Result: hypertension followed by overzealous vagal response (brady, heart block, vasodilation)