Volatile Blood Pressure Due To Baroreflex and Autonomic Failure

• Main Authors: Verena Adelina Briner, Mauro Vasella
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SMC MEDIA SRL 2014-10-01
• Series: European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine
• Subjects: Baroreflex and autonomic failure, volatile blood pressure
• Online Access: http://ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/143

An 85-year-old male was hospitalized because of deterioration of his general condition and infection of the tracheostoma. He had had laryngectomy, bilateral neck dissection and radiation therapy for a laryngeal carcinoma 5 years earlier. Despite a good recovery, he could not get up because of a new onset of postural symptoms (dizziness, lightheadedness, collapse). Late onset of baroreflex failure and autonomic nervous system failure were diagnosed. Volatility of blood pressure (supine hypertension, upright hypotension) was treated with NaCl supplement during the day and a short-acting antihypertensive (clonidine) at night. With this regimen, the patient could walk without support.