Primary autonomic failure: a complex case of orthostatic hypotension in a hypertensive elderly patient

Primary autonomic failure (PAF) or Bradbury Eggleston syndrome is a neurodegenerative disorder of the autonomic nervous system characterized by orthostatic hypotension.

We report the case of a 76-year-old patient with a history of hypertension, who presented with exercise-induced fatigue. He exhibited systolic hypertension and resting bradycardia in the supine position, with orthostatic hypotension without reactive tachycardia, suggesting dysautonomia. Neurological examination was unremarkable. The patient underwent cardiovascular autonomic testing, revealing evidence of beta-sympathetic deficiency associated with neurogenic orthostatic hypotension. Causes of secondary dysautonomia were excluded. The patient was diagnosed with PAF. Even if managing the combination of supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension was challenging, significant improvements in functional and haemodynamic status were observed with a personalized management approach.

Throughout this case report, we emphasize the critical need for an evaluation of autonomic function and blood pressure’s dynamics in hypertensive patients experiencing orthostatic symptoms, enabling the implementation of tailored therapeutic strategies.