Managing autonomic dysreflexia during urological care in individuals living with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Autonomic dysreflexia is a sudden rise in systolic blood pressure observed in individuals with spinal cord injury at or above the sixth thoracic spinal cord segment, often triggered by stimuli from the urinary bladder, bowel or sexual organs. Autonomic dysreflexia can cause severe complications, including stroke or death. Cardiovascular monitoring during urological procedures is crucial, particularly for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury who are at the highest risk of developing autonomic dysreflexia.