Acute hypotension associated with terbutaline nebuliser therapy in a traumatic tetraplegic patient during the spinal shock phase. Case report

Abstract

Acute hypotension was observed during the spinal shock stage of a 35-year-old C3 complete tetraplegic patient after receiving nebulised terbutaline for respiratory therapy. Nine weeks later, when he had recovered from spinal shock, he again received nebulised terbutaline but there was no significant fall in arterial blood pressure. This case illustrates the possibility of a serious degree of hypotension occurring in such patients with this drug. © 1991 International Medical Society of Paraplegia.