Profound hypotension in a tetraplegic patient following angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril. Case report

Abstract

We present the case of a 60 year old C6 complete tetraplegic patient who developed profound hypotension following initiation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril to control blood pressure. Other causes of hypotension, such as myocardial infarction and sepsis were ruled out. Inhibition of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system was the probable cause of hypotension. This case demonstrates the critical importance of the renin- angiotensin-aldosterone axis in the maintenance of blood pressure in tetraplegic patients, who may lack input from the brain to sympathetic neurons, and therefore have increased reliance on the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis for the maintenance of blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors should be avoided in tetraplegic patients, unless other treatment modalities are ineffective. © 1994 International Medical Society of Paraplegia.