Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Quantitative Autonomic Testing
Published on: July 19, 2011
[A 47-year-old man with "pure autonomic failure" and pernicious anemia]
1Praxis für Innere Medizin, Diabetologische Schwerpunktpraxis, Marburg.
History And Clinical Findings:
A 47-year-old man with a known and substituted vitamin B12 deficiency presented with increasing symptoms associated with orthostatic hypotension, neck pain and micturitional and visual disturbances.
Clinical And Laboratory Tests:
Catecholamines were strongly reduced in plasma and urine.
Diagnosis, Treatment And Clinical Course:
A pure autonomic failure was diagnosed and therapy with fludrocortisone, yohimbine and erythropoetine was started. Symptoms with the exception of micturitional disturbances improved strongly.
Conclusions:
Multiple-drug treatment of pure autonomic failure is successful. The prognosis is good.
Related Concept Videos
Myasthenia Gravis: Overview and Treatment
These antibodies interfere with the function of the nicotinic receptors in three ways: by binding to the receptor and disrupting acetylcholine binding; by causing cross-linking of receptors which leads...
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure
Disorders of Erythrocytes
Erythrocyte disorders can be broadly categorized into two main types: anemic and polycythemic conditions.
A low oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood due to the loss, lower production, or destruction of erythrocytes is termed anemia. Hemorrhagic anemia, for example, occurs when bleeding from an external wound or internal ulcer reduces erythrocyte counts.
On the other...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Diabetic Neuropathy
Esophageal Achalasia

