Autonomic dysreflexia is a medical emergency that can occur in people with spinal cord injury at or above the sixth thoracic (T6) level.
It is a potentially life-threatening condition and requires immediate intervention. Failure to recognise and promptly treat this condition can result in cerebral haemorrhage, seizure, stroke, cardiac arrythmia and even death.
These resources support clinicians to understand and treat autonomic dysreflexia.
Treatment of autonomic dysreflexia for adults and adolescents with spinal cord injuries: A guide for clinicians in non-specialist units
Published: March 2025. Next review 2030.
Learn the pathophysiology of autonomic dysreflexia and understand how to treat it.
Treatment algorithm for autonomic dysreflexia (hypertensive crisis) in spinal cord injury
Published: March 2025. Next review: 2030.
Follow the process to treat autonomic dysreflexia.
A summary of autonomic dysreflexia symptoms, causes and treatment is available as a fold-out card. Email ACI-Spinal@health.nsw.gov.au for more information.
Training videos on autonomic dysreflexia
Published: May 2025. Next review: 2030.
Watch these videos by Dr James Middleton to learn more about autonomic dysreflexia.
