Steinberger et al. 1990; USA
Downs & Black = 9
Prospective Controlled Trial
N=10

Population: All subjects with injury levels above T5; mean 9 years post-injury (range 3-21 years).
Treatment: 10-30 mg nifedipine sublingually 15 min prior to electroejaculation or no nifedipine.
Outcome Measures: blood pressure, voltage and current delivered during electroejaculation

1. In 9/10 patients, blood pressures were markedly lower after nifedipine pretreatment. 
2. Compared with no treatment, SBP during electroejaculation was lower with nifedipine pretreatment (168 mmHg vs. 196 mmHg).
3. In 9/10 patients, tolerance to electrical stimulation was ≥ post nifedipine pretreatment.

Lindan 1985; USA
Downs & Black = 8
Prospective Controlled Trial
N=12

Population: 12 subjects with tetraplegia.
Treatment: phenoxybenzamine (10mg bid) versus nifedipine (20mg bid) administration at least 4 days prior cystometry. 11 patients were also tested for the efficacy of 10 mg nifedipine (sublingually or by mouth) for controlling AD symptoms.
Outcome Measures: blood pressure

1. Neither drug prevented AD secondary to bladder filling, and a significant number of patients developed hypotension.
2. Sublingual dose of nifedipine (10 mg) was effective in managing acute attacks of AD.

Thyberg et al. 1994; Sweden
Downs & Black = 13
Pre-post
N=10

Population: 10 subjects with cervical or high thoracic SCI.
Treatment: 10 mg nifedipine sublingually during cystometry
Outcome Measures: blood pressure and heart rate

1. Patients demonstrated decreased maximum SBP and DBP after the administration of nifedipine.
2. Maximum SBP decreased from 147 mmHg  to 118 mmHg.
3. The decrease in BP was due to a decrease in baseline pressure and BP response during cystometry.

Dykstra et al. 1987; USA
Downs & Black = 9
Pre-post
N=7

Population: Subjects with complete, cervical injuries.
Treatment: 10 mg nifedipine during cystosopy procedure
Outcome measures: blood pressure, presence of AD

1. Nifedipine alleviated AD when given sublingually during cystoscopy and prevented autonomic hyperreflexia when given orally 30 minutes before cystoscopy.
2. No adverse drug effects were observed.

Kabalin et al. 1993; USA
Downs & Black = 10
Case Series
N=20

Population: 10 subjects with tetraplegia, 10 with paraplegia.
Treatment: 10-30 mg nifedipine sublingually during Estracorporal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for kidney stone treatment.
Outcome Measures: electrocardiogram, blood pressure, pulse rate, peripheral oxygen saturation

1. All but one SCI patient demonstrated AD during ESWL with maximal increase in systolic BP of 74 mmHg. 
2. Nifedipine was administered sublingually and controlled BP elevation. 
3. For severe, acute increases in BP, ESWL stimulation was momentarily discontinued until pharmacological control of the BP was achieved, after which treatment was continued.