Recognition and Management of Intraoperative Autonomic Dysreflexia

As the life expectancy of patients with spinal cord injuries continues to rise, consideration needs to be given to the implications of this condition in the surgical setting. Autonomic Dysreflexia is a medical emergency and has been described as the most common complication in patients with spinal cord injuries undergoing general surgery. As such, review of the literature was conducted to identify clinical features suggestive of intraoperative Autonomic Dysreflexia and methods for management of this potentially lethal condition.