Autonomic dysreflexia

Autonomic dysreflexia is a potentially life-threatening syndrome characterized by an uncontrolled sympathetic nervous system response to noxious stimuli below the level of a spinal cord injury. It typically manifests as a sudden, severe elevation in blood pressure, accompanied by bradycardia, headache, sweating, and flushing above the injury level. This condition primarily affects individuals with spinal cord injuries at T6 or above.

This code is appropriate for documenting the diagnosis of autonomic dysreflexia in patients, most commonly those with a history of spinal cord injury. Documentation should clearly describe the sudden onset of symptoms consistent with an exaggerated autonomic response, such as paroxysmal hypertension, diaphoresis, and headache, in response to a trigger. It is crucial to identify the underlying spinal cord injury if not already coded.

• Always sequence this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter, or as a secondary diagnosis when it is a co-morbidity being managed.
• Ensure documentation specifies the presence of a spinal cord injury, as this is the primary predisposing factor.
• Do not confuse with essential hypertension or other forms of secondary hypertension; autonomic dysreflexia is a distinct neurological emergency.