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Owens MR, Kaur D. The neuromuscular evaluation of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. Muscle Nerve 2023; 68:714-717. [PMID: 37638416 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a diagnosis with a wide spectrum of symptomatology and a variety of clinicopathological associations, including hereditary, autoimmune, and infectious associations. There is little consensus regarding the appropriate diagnostic approach to the condition. The aim of this work was to provide guidance on the initial diagnosis and when and how to expand diagnostic testing. We define the "typical" POTS patient as younger, female, and with a normal examination apart from joint hyperextensibility. Red flags for "atypical" POTS would be older age at onset, male, prominent syncope, review of systems suggestive of specific alternative diagnoses, examination abnormalities other than joint hyperextensibility, or disease refractory to nonpharmacological and other first-line treatments. Although a limited evaluation is appropriate in POTS with typical features, we recommend an expanded and individualized workup in atypical cases, including additional cardiac testing, autonomic testing, neuropathy workup, and/or autoimmune workup (including consideration of Guillain-Barré syndrome), depending on clinical presentation. We emphasize the importance of shared decision-making in this condition for which treatment remains primarily symptomatic regardless of etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micaela R Owens
- Department of Neurology, Penn State Health, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Divpreet Kaur
- Department of Neurology, Penn State Health, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
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Gómez-Moyano E, Rodríguez-Capitán J, Gaitán Román D, Reyes Bueno JA, Villalobos Sánchez A, Espíldora Hernández F, González Angulo GE, Molina Mora MJ, Thurnhofer-Hemsi K, Molina-Ramos AI, Romero-Cuevas M, Jiménez-Navarro M, Pavón-Morón FJ. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other related dysautonomic disorders after SARS-CoV-2 infection and after COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccination. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1221518. [PMID: 37654428 PMCID: PMC10467287 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1221518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a challenge for our society due to the post-acute sequelae of the disease. Persistent symptoms and long-term multiorgan complications, known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, can occur beyond 4 weeks from the onset of the COVID-19 infection. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is considered a variety of dysautonomia, which is characterized by chronic symptoms that occur with standing and a sustained increase in heart rate, without orthostatic hypotension. POTS can lead to debilitating symptoms, significant disability, and impaired quality of life. In this narrative review, the etiopathogenic basis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and socioeconomic impact of POTS, as well as other related dysautonomic disorders, after COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV-2 postvaccination, were discussed. After a search conducted in March 2023, a total of 89 relevant articles were selected from the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The review highlights the importance of recognizing and managing POTS after COVID-19 infection and vaccination, and the approach to autonomic disorders should be known by all specialists in different medical areas. The diagnosis of POTS requires a comprehensive clinical assessment, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, orthostatic vital signs, and autonomic function tests. The treatment of POTS after COVID-19 infection or vaccination is mainly focused on lifestyle modifications, such as increased fluid and salt intake, exercise, and graduated compression stockings. Pharmacotherapy, such as beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, midodrine, and ivabradine, may also be used in selected cases. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and optimal treatment strategies for this complication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge Rodríguez-Capitán
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | - Daniel Gaitán Román
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Karl Thurnhofer-Hemsi
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Computer Languages and Computer Sciences, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Ana Isabel Molina-Ramos
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | - Miguel Romero-Cuevas
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
| | - Manuel Jiménez-Navarro
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Medicine and Dermatology, University of Malaga, Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Pavón-Morón
- Centro de Investigación en Red de Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), IBIMA-Plataforma BIONAND, Universidad de Málaga, Málaga, Spain
- Department of Cardiology, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, Málaga, Spain
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Spahic JM, Hamrefors V, Johansson M, Ricci F, Melander O, Sutton R, Fedorowski A. Malmö POTS symptom score: Assessing symptom burden in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. J Intern Med 2023; 293:91-99. [PMID: 36111700 PMCID: PMC10087729 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a common cardiovascular autonomic disorder characterized by excessive heart rate (HR) increase on standing and symptoms of orthostatic intolerance, posing significant limitations on functional capacity. No objective tool exists to classify symptom burden in POTS. METHODS We conducted a case-control study in 62 POTS patients and 50 healthy controls to compare symptom burden between groups using the newly developed, self-rating, 12-item, Malmö POTS Score (MAPS; 0-10 per item, total range 0-120) based on patients own perception of symptoms through visual analogue scale assessment. We have also explored correlations between symptom severity assessed by MAPS, basic clinical parameters and postural haemodynamic changes. RESULTS POTS patients showed significantly higher total MAPS score (78 ± 20 vs. 14 ± 12, p < 0.001), higher baseline systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP and HR (p < 0.001) compared with healthy controls. The most prominent symptoms in POTS were palpitations, fatigue and concentration difficulties. Haemodynamic parameters on standing were significantly correlated with palpitations in POTS after adjustment for age and sex (lower systolic and diastolic BP, and higher HR) (p < 0.001 for all). Orthostatic HR was significantly associated with concentration difficulties and total MAPS score. The optimal cut-point value of MAPS to differentiate POTS and healthy controls was ≥42 (sensitivity, 97%; specificity, 98%). CONCLUSIONS Symptom severity, as assessed by MAPS score, is fivefold higher in POTS compared with healthy individuals. The new MAPS score can be useful as a semiquantitative system to assess symptom burden, monitor disease progression and evaluate pre-test likelihood of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasmina Medic Spahic
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Viktor Hamrefors
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Madeleine Johansson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Fabrizio Ricci
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Olle Melander
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Richard Sutton
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Artur Fedorowski
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Cardiology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Ryabkova VA, Gavrilova NY, Fedotkina TV, Churilov LP, Shoenfeld Y. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Post-COVID Syndrome: A Common Neuroimmune Ground? Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 13. [PMID: 36611357 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13010066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) is a debilitating chronic disease of unknown etiology, sharing a similar clinical presentation with the increasingly recognized post-COVID syndrome. We performed the first cross-sectional study of ME/CFS in a community population in Russia. Then we described and compared some clinical and pathophysiological characteristics of ME/CFS and post-COVID syndrome as neuroimmune disorders. Of the cohort of 76 individuals who suggested themselves as suffering from ME/CFS, 56 were diagnosed with ME/CFS by clinicians according to ≥1 of the four most commonly used case definitions. Of the cohort of 14 individuals with post-COVID-19 syndrome, 14 met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS. The severity of anxiety/depressive symptoms did not correlate with the severity of fatigue either in ME/CFS or in post-COVID ME/CFS. Still, a positive correlation was found between the severity of fatigue and 20 other symptoms of ME/CFS related to the domains of "post-exertional exhaustion", "immune dysfunction", "sleep disturbances", "dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system", "neurological sensory/motor disorders" and "pain syndromes". Immunological abnormalities were identified in 12/12 patients with ME/CFS according to the results of laboratory testing. The prevalence of postural orthostatic tachycardia assessed in the active orthostatic test amounted to 37.5% in ME/CFS and 75.0% in post-COVID ME/CFS (the latter was higher than in healthy controls, p = 0.02). There was a more pronounced increase in heart rate starting from the 6th minute of the test in post-COVID ME/CFS compared with the control group. Assessment of the functional characteristics of microcirculation by laser doppler flowmetry revealed obvious and very similar changes in ME/CFS and post-COVID ME/CFS compared to the healthy controls. The identified laser doppler flowmetry pattern corresponded to the hyperemic form of microcirculation disorders usually observed in acute inflammatory response or in case of systemic vasoconstriction failure.
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Bisaccia G, Ricci F, Recce V, Serio A, Iannetti G, Chahal AA, Ståhlberg M, Khanji MY, Fedorowski A, Gallina S. Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 and Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysfunction: What Do We Know? J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2021; 8:156. [PMID: 34821709 DOI: 10.3390/jcdd8110156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), or long COVID syndrome, is emerging as a major health issue in patients with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Symptoms commonly experienced by patients include fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, dyspnea, reduced exercise tolerance, and “brain fog”. Additionally, symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and syncope suggest the involvement of the autonomic nervous system. Signs of cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction appear to be common in PASC and are similar to those observed in postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and inappropriate sinus tachycardia. In this review, we report on the epidemiology of PASC, discuss current evidence and possible mechanisms underpinning the dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, and suggest nonpharmacological and pharmacological interventions to treat and relieve symptoms of PASC-associated dysautonomia.
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de Rodez Benavent SA, Nygaard GO, Nilsen KB, Etholm L, Sowa P, Wendel-Haga M, Harbo HF, Drolsum L, Laeng B, Kerty E, Celius EG. Neurodegenerative Interplay of Cardiovascular Autonomic Dysregulation and the Retina in Early Multiple Sclerosis. Front Neurol 2019; 10:507. [PMID: 31156539 PMCID: PMC6529954 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) symptoms are prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) as is neurodegeneration. Our aim was to explore the occurrence of ANS symptoms and retinal neurodegeneration in a newly diagnosed MS population with tools available in a clinical setting. Methods: Forty-three MS patients and 44 healthy controls took part in the study. We employed a bedside cardiovascular ANS test battery together with classical pupillometry, optical coherence tomography (OCT) evaluation of retinal neurodegeneration in eyes without previous optic neuritis (MSNON) and patients' self-report forms on fatigue, orthostatic and ANS symptoms. Results: Half of the patients presented with ANS symptoms and a high level of fatigue. There was a significant difference in ganglion cell layer thickness (mean GCIPL) evaluated by OCT in MSNON compared to healthy control eyes. We found a negative linearity of mean GCIPL on group level with increasing disease duration. Three patients fulfilled the criteria of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Conclusion: Our results demonstrate retinal neurodegeneration in MSNON, a high frequency of fatigue and a high prevalence of ANS symptoms in newly diagnosed patients. Whether neurodegeneration precedes ANS dysfunction or vice versa is still open to debate, but as unveiled by the presence of POTS in this MS population, differences in stress-response regulation add to the understanding of variation in onset-time of ANS dysfunction in early MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid A de Rodez Benavent
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Gro O Nygaard
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Kristian B Nilsen
- Section for Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Lars Etholm
- Section for Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Piotr Sowa
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Marte Wendel-Haga
- Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Neurology, Telemark Hospital, Skien, Norway
| | - Hanne F Harbo
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Liv Drolsum
- Department of Ophthalmology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Bruno Laeng
- Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Emilia Kerty
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Elisabeth G Celius
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
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Abstract
Purpose Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of orthostatic intolerance characterized by an increased heart rate upon transition from supine to standing, and head-up tilt without orthostatic hypotension. Its etiology is multifactorial, and no clear cause has been identified. Common symptoms include light-headedness, blurred vision, weakness, cognitive difficulties, and fatigue and are often accompanied by palpitations, shortness of breath, syncope, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Management includes volume expansion, physical counter maneuvers, and pharmacological agents such as fludrocortisone, midodrine, propranolol, and pyridostigmine. The course of POTS in pregnancy is variable and POTS has not been directly implicated in any adverse outcomes for the mother or fetus. Methods Two cases of POTS in pregnancy are presented, along with a review of the literature for reports of POTS in pregnancy. Results Along with our 2 cases, 10 other case reports were identified and included. Conclusion The course of POTS in pregnancy is variable, and not directly linked to increase perinatal morbidity or mortality. Women can safely undergo regional anesthesia, and vaginal delivery with close monitoring of hemodynamic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brianna Lide
- Texas A and M University College of Medicine, Temple, Texas
| | - Sina Haeri
- St. David's North Austin Medical Center, Austin, Texas ; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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Kanjwal K, Saeed B, Karabin B, Kanjwal Y, Grubb BP. Comparative clinical profile of postural orthostatic tachycardia patients with and without joint hypermobility syndrome. Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J 2010; 10:173-8. [PMID: 20376184 PMCID: PMC2847867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autonomic dysfunction is common in patients with the joint hypermobility syndrome (JHS). However, there is a paucity of reported data on clinical features of Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) in patients suffering from JHS. METHODS This retrospective study was approved by our local Institutional Review Board (IRB). Over a period of 10 years, 26 patients of POTS were identified for inclusion in this study. All these patients had features of Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (by Brighton criterion). A comparison group of 39 patients with other forms of POTS were also followed in the autonomic clinic during the same time. We present a descriptive report on the comparative clinical profile of the clinical features of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia patients with and without Joint Hypermobility syndrome. The data is presented as a mean+/-SD and percentages wherever applicable. RESULTS Out of 65 patients, 26 patients (all females, 20 Caucasians) had POTS and JHS. The mean age at presentation of POTS was 24+/-13 (range 10-53 years) vs 41+/-12 (range 19-65 years), P=0.0001, Migraine was a common co morbidity 73 vs 29% p=0,001. In two patients POTS was precipitated by pregnancy, and in three by surgery, urinary tract infection and a viral syndrome respectively. The common clinical features were fatigue (58%), orthostatic palpitations (54%), presyncope (58%), and syncope (62%). CONCLUSIONS Patients with POTS and JHS appear to become symptomatic at an earlier age compared to POTS patients without JHS. In addition patients with JHS had a greater incidence of migraine and syncope than their non JHS counterparts.
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