Clinical Practice Guideline Development for Autonomic Dysreflexia in Spinal Cord Injury

Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a dangerous emergency for those with spinal cord injuries, particularly in the neck and upper back. Although several treatments exist, experts don't agree on the best approach. This project created guidelines for managing AD in various situations related to spinal cord injuries. The guidelines were created by a team of doctors and surgeons, with input from a national panel of experts. The panel made decisions about the final recommendations, including new ideas for managing AD patients. The guidelines were also evaluated using a standard tool to ensure their quality. The final result was a protocol for managing patients with autonomic dysreflexia. The authors suggest more educational multimedia for health care professionals, primarily in the emergency department.

• 1
  After reviewing numerous articles, the expert panel adapted existing recommendations into a protocol for managing patients with autonomic dysreflexia.
• 2
  The developed guideline presents treatment and pharmacotherapy options for autonomic dysreflexia, while acknowledging that treatment approaches are continuously being updated.
• 3
  The study emphasizes the importance of educating healthcare professionals, especially in emergency departments, to improve the management of autonomic dysreflexia.