Circulatory autonomic failure 50 years after acute poliomyelitis.
A 59-year old woman who presented with postural dizziness 50 years after an acute episode of poliomyelitis is described. There were no new neurological signs and no evidence of motor neuron disease. She had postural hypotension with an abnormal Valsalva. Investigations led to a diagnosis of hypo-adrenergic orthostatic hypotension, with a predominantly preganglionic sympathetic lesion and intact vagal baroreflex pathways. Although pure autonomic failure and multiple system atrophy are possible causes of circulatory autonomic failure, no other new neurological or autonomic features have developed during a 2 year follow-up. We propose that hypo-adrenergic orthostatic hypotension may be a late complication of poliomyelitis. Deterioration in ambulatory ability in a patient with previous poliomyelitis should additionally include assessment of cardiovascular autonomic function.
ten Harkel
A D
AD
Department of Medicine, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
van Lieshout
J J
JJ
Wieling
W
W
D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications*; D011187:Posture; D016138:Walking
D010656:Phenylephrine