- Pure autonomic failure
Infobox_Disease
Name = PAGENAME
Caption =
DiseasesDB = 32777
ICD10 =
ICD9 =
ICDO =
OMIM =
MedlinePlus =
eMedicineSubj =
eMedicineTopic =
MeshID = D001342Pure autonomic failure, also known as Bradbury-Eggleston syndrome or idiopathic orthostatic hypotension, is a form of
dysautonomia that first occurs in middle age or later in life; men are affected more often than women. It is one of three diseases classified asprimary autonomic failure .ymptoms
A degenerative disease of the
peripheral nervous system , symptoms includedizziness andfainting (caused byorthostatic hypotension ), visual disturbances and neck pain. Chest pain, fatigue andsexual dysfunction are less common symptoms that may also occur. Symptoms are worse when standing; sometimes one may relieve symptoms by laying down.Pathology
The
pathology of pure autonomic failure is not yet completely understood. However, a loss of cells in the intermediolateral column of thespinal cord has been documented, as has a loss ofcatecholamine uptake and catecholamine fluorescence in sympathetic postganglionicneurons . In general, levels of catecholamines in these patients are very low while lying down, and do not increase much upon standing.Treatment
Pharmacological methods of treatment include
fludrocortisone ,midodrine ,somatostatin ,erythropoietin , and othervasopressor agents. However, often a patient with pure autonomic failure can mitigate his or her symptoms with far less costly means. Compressing the legs and lower body, through crossing the legs, squatting, or the use ofcompression stockings can help. Also, ingesting more water than usual can increase blood pressure and relieve some symptoms.Eponym
It is named for
Samuel Bradbury andCary Eggleston . [WhoNamedIt|synd|2102] [S. Bradbury, C. Eggleston. Postural hypotension: A report of three cases. American Heart Journal, St. Louis, 1925, 1: 73-86.]References
* [http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=adc&doc=4790 Vanderbilt Autonomic Dysfunction Center]
External links
* [http://www.ndrf.org National Dysautonomia Research Foundation (NDRF)]
* [http://www.supportdysautonomia.org Dysautonomia Support Network]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.