INVESTIGATION AND TREATMENT OF AUTONOMIC CIRCULATORY FAILURE

Investigation and treatment of patients suffering from autonomic circu latory failure should be based on the application of knowledge of basi c physiology to the problem of a particular patient. For an overall ev aluation of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction, an analysis of the h eart rate and blood pressure responses to standing usually is sufficie nt. Instruction in physical maneuvers such as squatting and leg crossi ng should be part of the treatment programs to reduce disabilities fro m orthostatic hypotension in patients with circulatory autonomic failu re.