Autonomic dysreflexia

This code represents autonomic dysreflexia, a potentially life-threatening syndrome characterized by an uncontrolled sympathetic nervous system response to noxious stimuli below the level of a spinal cord injury. It typically manifests as sudden, severe hypertension, bradycardia, headache, sweating, and piloerection. This condition is most common in individuals with spinal cord injuries at or above the T6 level.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of autonomic dysreflexia. This often occurs in patients with a history of spinal cord injury presenting with acute episodes of paroxysmal hypertension and other characteristic symptoms. Supporting documentation should include physician notes describing the symptoms, the patient's spinal cord injury level, and the acute nature of the event.

• Ensure documentation specifies "autonomic dysreflexia" and not just general dysautonomia or hypertension.
• Always sequence this code as a primary diagnosis when it is the reason for the encounter.
• Code any underlying spinal cord injury (e.g., from category 952) as an additional diagnosis.