Beta blockade in the treatment of autonomic dysreflexia: A case report and review

Autonomic dysreflexia has long been considered a sympathetically mediated phenomenon. Recent articles have reported the use of alpha blockers as a means of treatment. We report the case of a 20-year-old C5 American Spinal Injury Association A spinal cord injured patient who almost daily experienced symptoms of headache, facial flushing, and hypertension consistent with autonomic dysreflexia. These symptoms caused him frequent discomfort and anxiety. Despite an extensive workup, we were unable to identify a source of his dysreflexic episodes. After starting metoprolol 50mg every night, however, these episodes stopped and the patient showed no adverse effects from the medication. (C) 1998 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine and the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.