Acta neurologica Scandinavica. Supplementum
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Acta Neurol. Scand., Suppl.c · Jan 2011
ReviewCardiovascular and urological dysfunction in spinal cord injury.
A spinal cord injury (SCI) above the sixth thoracic vertebra interrupts the supraspinal control of the sympathetic nervous system causing an imbalance between the sympathetic and the parasympathetic nervous system. This article focuses on the symptoms, treatment and examination of autonomic disturbances of the cardiovascular and the urinary system after a SCI. ⋯ Patients with SCI have a high risk of cardiovascular complications, AD and urinary autonomic dysfunction both in the acute phase and later, affecting their prognosis and quality of life. Knowledge of cardiovascular and urological complications after SCI is important for proper diagnosis and treatment.