Autonomic dysfunction may follow significant electrical injury. This may occur in conjunction with motor and/or sensory neuropathy. It may develop slowly over the months after the burn.
Patient selection: significant electrical injury
Manifestations:
(1) orthostatic lighheadedness
(2) erectile dysfunction
(3) intolerance for hot or cold
(4) tachycardia at rest
The risk for autonomic dysfunction may be detected by measuring the sympathetic skin response (SSR) latency. This may be measured at the right palm, left palm, right sole and left sole.
Patients with autonomic symptoms tend to have significantly lower SSR amplitudes.
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