S02: Management of Acute Autonomic Dysfunction After SCI

Chairs: Alexander Rabchevsky, PhD

S02.01 - Cardiovascular Complications Following SCI

   Andrei Krassioukov, MD, PhD - University of British Columbia

S02.02 - Autonomic Consequences of Graded Contusion SCI

   David Magnuson, PhD - University of Louisville

S02.03 - Micturition Consequences Following SCI

   Charles Hubscher, PhD - University of Louisville

Session Description

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results not only in motor and sensory paralysis but also in autonomic dysfunctions, including cardiovascular, lower urinary tract, and gastrointestinal impairments which interfere with the quality of daily living. High thoracic or cervical SCI often results in autonomic dysreflexia as a result of unregulated sympathetic discharge upon noxious visceral or sensory stimuli below the injury. Impairments of the lower urinary tract are manifested in bladder storage and emptying. Inadequate or excessive detrusor and sphincter functions, as well as detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia, account for micturition deficits. Moeover, loss of autonomic control and sympathetic overdrive is also related to immunosuppressive states following SCI. The purpose of this session is, therefore, to bring together basic and clinician scientists to help identify neural mechanisms and pathophysiology underlying complications of autonomic dysfunctions after SCI in order to provide potential guidelines for novel therapeutic approaches

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to:

1. Understand how cardiovascular complications impact the overall health and well-being of SCI population form the view point of a clinician scientist.
2. Learn how bladder dysfunction impacts daily living and methods being used to alleviate incontinence.
3. Recognize the impact that sympathetic and immune system interactions have in the SCI population, and how pharmacotherapeutic approaches may prevent chronic conditions.