[Orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension in pure autonomic failure]. 2004

Michelangelo Sartori, and Achille C Pessina
Clinica Medica 4, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale, Università degli Studi, Padova. michelangelo.sartori@unipd.it

Orthostatic hypotension is associated with significant morbidity and mortality in elderly patients. In orthostatic hypotension caused by central and peripheral nervous system disorders (neurogenic orthostatic hypotension), the release of catecholamine in the standing posture is insufficient to compensate adequately for decreased venous return to the heart. Primary autonomic failure exhibits, often, supine hypertension, that can be worsened by pressor agents, such as midodrine, used to prevent syncope episodes. Salt-retaining steroid fludrocortisone, also, used to treat orthostatic hypotension, increases blood pressure both in supine and in standing position. We describe 3 patients with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension caused by pure autonomic failure. They complained of several syncope episodes. On examination, orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension were detected in the absence of pharmacological therapy. All the patients presented hypertensive organ disease. Fludrocortisone acetate was started in one patient, and short-acting vasopressor agents during the day and dihydropyridine-calcium antagonist during the night in the other two. During the follow-up a transient ischemic attack occurred in the patient treated with fludrocortisone. When fludrocortisone was titrated down and short-acting antihypertensive drugs were started, the patient did not complain of any symptoms. Supine hypertension is part of pure autonomic failure, and short-acting antihypertensive agents should be associated with vasopressor agents to prevent hypertensive target organ disease.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006973 Hypertension Persistently high systemic arterial BLOOD PRESSURE. Based on multiple readings (BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION), hypertension is currently defined as when SYSTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when DIASTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently 90 mm Hg or more. Blood Pressure, High,Blood Pressures, High,High Blood Pressure,High Blood Pressures
D007024 Hypotension, Orthostatic A significant drop in BLOOD PRESSURE after assuming a standing position. Orthostatic hypotension is a finding, and defined as a 20-mm Hg decrease in systolic pressure or a 10-mm Hg decrease in diastolic pressure 3 minutes after the person has risen from supine to standing. Symptoms generally include DIZZINESS, blurred vision, and SYNCOPE. Hypotension, Postural,Orthostatic Hypotension,Postural Hypotension
D008297 Male Males
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D001342 Autonomic Nervous System Diseases Diseases of the AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, including sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems. Autonomic Disorders,Central Autonomic Nervous System Diseases,Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System,Dysautonomia,Nervous System Diseases, Autonomic,Nervous System Diseases, Parasympathetic,Nervous System Diseases, Sympathetic,Non-Familial Dysautonomia,Parasympathetic Nervous System Diseases,Peripheral Autonomic Nervous System Diseases,Sympathetic Nervous System Diseases,ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) Diseases,ANS Diseases,Autonomic Central Nervous System Diseases,Autonomic Diseases,Autonomic Nervous System Disorders,Autonomic Peripheral Nervous System Diseases,Segmental Autonomic Dysfunction,ANS Disease,Autonomic Disease,Autonomic Disorder,Autonomic Dysfunction, Segmental,Autonomic Dysfunctions, Segmental,Disorder, Autonomic,Dysautonomia, Non-Familial,Dysautonomias,Non Familial Dysautonomia,Non-Familial Dysautonomias,Segmental Autonomic Dysfunctions
D016683 Supine Position The posture of an individual lying face up. Dorsal Position,Dorsal Positions,Position, Dorsal,Position, Supine,Positions, Dorsal,Positions, Supine,Supine Positions

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