Inflatable external leg compression prevents orthostatic hypotension in a patient with a traumatic cervical spinal cord injury

High thoracic spine or cervical injury may cause long-term orthostatic hypotension (OH). To stabilize hemodynamics and prevent presyncope symptoms in these patients, noninvasive management is preferable. We describe a case of a 61-year-old man who experienced presyncope symptoms as a result of severe OH due to spinal cord injury, after 60° head-up tilt position. The patient was referred to the intensive care unit where he was successfully managed with an inflatable external leg compression (ELC). Accordingly, inflatable ELC succeeded not only in improving presyncope symptoms, but also in preventing orthostatic hypotension for several hours. ELC may be an alternative way to stabilize hemodynamics and prevent presyncope symptoms in patients with OH following spinal cord injury.

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