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Clinical Trial
. 2021 Apr;69(2):205-211.
doi: 10.1007/s12026-021-09185-5. Epub 2021 Mar 30.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and other autonomic disorders after COVID-19 infection: a case series of 20 patients

Svetlana Blitshteyn  1 , Sera Whitelaw  2
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and other autonomic disorders after COVID-19 infection: a case series of 20 patients

Svetlana Blitshteyn et al. Immunol Res. 2021 Apr.

Erratum in

Abstract

Objective: To describe clinical features, diagnostic findings, treatments, and outcomes in patients with new-onset postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and other autonomic disorders following SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed medical records for patients who presented with persistent neurologic and cardiovascular complaints between April and December 2020 following COVID-19 infection.

Results: Twenty patients (70% female) were included in this study.Fifteen had POTS, 3 had neurocardiogenic syncope, and 2 had orthostatic hypotension. Six patients had abnormalities on cardiac or pulmonary testing, and 4 had elevated autoimmune or inflammatory markers. All patients were treated with non-pharmacologic therapies, and most required pharmacologic therapies. Six to 8 months after COVID-19, 17 (85%) patients had residual autonomic symptoms, with 12 (60%) unable to return to work.

Conclusions: POTS can follow COVID-19 in previously healthy patients. Appropriate diagnostic investigations and therapies are necessary to identify and treat autonomic dysfunction after COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Neurocardiogenic syncope; Neurologic complications; Orthostatic hypotension; Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Autonomic disorders and b Patient outcomes 6–8 months after COVID-19. POTS, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome; NCS, neurocardiogenic syncope; OH, orthostatic hypotension
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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