Sympathetic Storming
Sympathetic storming after traumatic brain injury remains one of the most dramatic clinical scene particularly in neurological units. It occurs due to uncontrolled sympathetic surge with a diminish or unmatch parasympathetic response. Acording to Baguley criteria 5 out of the 7 clinical features should be present -
- tachycardia,
- tachypnea,
- hyperthermia,
- hypertension,
- dystonia,
- posturing and
- diaphoresis
Various agents have been used for treatment (see review article below) but haloperidol may worsen the symptoms.Dr. Blackman and coll. coined the term "PAID" - paroxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia- in Archives of Neurology March 2004.
See great review article
here on Sympathetic Storming from Denise M. Lemke, published in J Neurosci Nurs 36(1):4-9, 2004. © 2004References: click to get abstract/article
1. Dysautonomia after traumatic brain injury: a forgotten syndrome? - J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 1999;67:39-43 ( July )
2. Paroxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia (PAID) - Arch Neurol. October 2004;61:1625.
3. Paroxysmal Autonomic Instability with Dystonia After Brain Injury - Arch. Neurol. March 2004;61:321-328
