ORTHOSTATIC (POSTURAL) HYPOTENSION

SUMMARY

1. State of transient reflex hypotension caused by a lack of sympathetic outflow triggered by tilting the patient upright > 60^o

2. Lesion at T6 or above. Heart and blood vessels supplied by T1-T7.

3. Aortic and carotid baroreceptors sense decrease in BP, but descending tracts are unable to increase sympathetic outflow due to SCI.

4. Orthostasis lessens with time due to development of spinal postural reflexes which allow for vasoconstriction due to improved autoregulation of cerebrovascular circulation at the level of the injury.

Reference(s)

Cifu, D.X. (2020). Braddom’s physical medicine and rehabilitation. Elsevier. Get it on Amazon.
Cuccurullo, S. (2019). Physical medicine and rehabilitation board review. New York: Demosmedical. Get it on Amazon.
O’Young, B., Young, M.A. and Stiens, S.A. (2008). Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Secrets. Mosby. Get it on Amazon.