Spinal Cord Autonomic Dysreflexia By Michael Rubin, MDCM, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center Reviewed / Revised Feb 2023 View Patient Education Pathophysiology Symptoms and Signs Diagnosis Treatment Prevention Key Points Autonomic dysreflexia is a disorder of autonomic nervous system dysregulation that occurs in patients with a spinal cord injury and that can result in life-threatening hypertension.