Effectiveness of arginine vasopressin for the management of refractory hemorrhagic shock in a patient with autonomic dysreflexia caused by spinal cord injury.

BACKGROUND

Arginine vasopressin has been used for the management of refractory vasodilatory shock. However, it is still unclear whether arginine vasopressin is useful for hypotension in patients with spinal cord injury.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 78-year-old man with autonomic dysreflexia and paralysis below the level corresponding to Th2 due to spinal cord injury previously underwent cholecystectomy. During the surgery, accidental hemorrhage led him to refractory hemorrhagic shock unresponsive to fluid resuscitation and catecholamine. Lasting hypotension was improved with arginine vasopressin.

CONCLUSION

We described a rare case report on the use of arginine vasopressin for management of refractory hemorrhagic shock in a patient with autonomic dysreflexia.