Detecting Orthostatic Intolerance in Long COVID in a Clinic Setting.

INTRODUCTION: A likely mechanism of Long COVID (LC) is dysautonomia, manifesting as orthostatic intolerance (OI). In our LC service, all patients underwent a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Lean Test (NLT), which can detect OI syndromes of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS) or Orthostatic Hypotension (OH) in a clinic setting. Patients also completed the COVID-19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale (C19-YRS), a validated LC outcome measure. Our objectives in this retrospective study were (1) to report on the findings of the NLT; and (2) to compare findings from the NLT with LC symptoms reported on the C19-YRS. METHODS: NLT data, including maximum heart rate increase, blood pressure decrease, number of minutes completed and symptoms experienced during the NLT were extracted retrospectively, together with palpitation and dizziness scores from the C19-YRS. Mann-Witney U tests were used to examine for statistical difference in palpitation or dizziness scores between patients with normal NLT and those with abnormal NLT. Spearman's rank was used to examine the correlation between the degree of postural HR and BP change with C19-YRS symptom severity score. RESULTS: Of the 100 patients with LC recruited, 38 experienced symptoms of OI during the NLT; 13 met the haemodynamic screening criteria for PoTS and 9 for OH. On the C19-YRS, 81 reported dizziness as at least a mild problem, and 68 for palpitations being at least a mild problem. There was no significant statistical difference between reported dizziness or palpitation scores in those with normal NLT and those with abnormal NLT. The correlation between symptom severity score and NLT findings was <0.16 (poor). CONCLUSIONS: We have found evidence of OI, both symptomatically and haemodynamically in patients with LC. The severity of palpitations and dizziness reported on the C19-YRS does not appear to correlate with NLT findings. We would recommend using the NLT in all LC patients in a clinic setting, regardless of presenting LC symptoms, due to this inconsistency.

Objective Hemodynamic Cardiovascular Autonomic Abnormalities in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Many COVID-19 patients are left with symptoms several months after resolution of the acute illness; this syndrome is known as post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC). We aimed to determine the prevalence of objective hemodynamic cardiovascular autonomic abnormalities (CAA), explore sex differences, and assess the prevalence of CAA among hospitalized vs nonhospitalized patients with PASC. METHODS: Patients with PASC (n = 70; female [F] = 56; 42 years of age; 95% confidence interval [CI], 40-48) completed standard autonomic tests, including an active stand test 399 days (338, 455) after their COVID-19 infection. Clinical autonomic abnormalities were evaluated. RESULTS: Most patients with PASC met the criteria for at least 1 CAA (51; 73%; F = 43). The postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome hemodynamic (POTSHR) criterion of a heart rate increase of > 30 beats per minute within 5 to 10 minutes of standing was seen in 21 patients (30%; F = 20; P = 0.037 [by sex]). The initial orthostatic hypotension hemodynamic (IOH40) criterion of a transient systolic blood pressure change of > 40 mm Hg in the first 15 seconds of standing was seen in 43 (61%) patients and equally among female and male patients (63% vs 57%; P = 0.7). Only 9 (13%) patients were hospitalized; hospitalized vs nonhospitalized patients had similar frequencies of abnormalities (67% vs 74%; P = 0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PASC have evidence of CAA, most commonly IOH40, which will be missed unless an active stand test is used. Female patients have increased frequency of POTSHR, but IOH40 is equally prevalent between sexes. Finally, even nonhospitalized "mild" infections can result in long-term CAAs.

Autonomic function testing in long-COVID syndrome patients with orthostatic intolerance.

The association between dysautonomia and long-COVID syndrome has gained considerable interest. This study retrospectively characterized the findings of autonomic reflex screen (ARS) in long-COVID patients presenting with orthostatic intolerance (OI). Fourteen patients were identified. All patients had normal cardiovagal function and 2 patients had abnormal sudomotor function. The head-up tilt table (HUTT) was significantly abnormal in 3 patients showing postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). CASS ranged from 0 to 2. The most common clinical scenario was symptoms of orthostatic intolerance without demonstrable HUTT orthostatic tachycardia or orthostatic hypotension (OH) (n = 8, 57 %). In our case series, most long-COVID patients presenting to our laboratory with OI had no significant HUTT abnormalities; only 3 patients met the criteria for POTS.

Comprehensive telemedicine solution for remote monitoring of Parkinson's disease patients with orthostatic hypotension during COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) represents a frequent but under-recognized phenomenon in Parkinson's disease (PD). During COVID-19 pandemic, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become pivotal in the management of chronic diseases like PD, not only to assess motor impairment, but also for vital signs monitoring. This pilot study aimed to propose a real-time remote home-monitoring system and protocol for PD patients with OH. METHODS: Vital parameters were acquired by wireless devices and transmitted to an ICT platform, providing data and smart notifications to the healthcare provider through an interactive web portal. Eight patients with idiopathic PD and OH underwent 5-day monitoring. Data about OH episodes, therapeutic interventions, impact on daily activities, and patient satisfaction were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The proposed solution allowed the identification of 65 OH episodes and subsequent medical interventions. Thirty-five episodes were asymptomatic, especially in the postprandial and in the afternoon recordings. Systolic-blood-pressure (SBP) and diastolic-blood-pressure (DBP) were significantly lower in symptomatic episodes, while the pressure drops resulted significantly higher in presence of symptoms. High usability and patient satisfaction scores were observed. CONCLUSION: The proposed home-monitoring system and protocol have proved to provide useful information and to allow prompt interventions in the management of PD patients with OH during COVID-19 pandemic.

The Effect of Orthostatic Hypotension Detected Pre-Operatively on Post-Operative Outcome.

BACKGROUND: Exacerbation of or new onset orthostatic hypotension in perioperative patients can occur. There is complex underlying pathophysiology with further derailment likely caused by acute cardiovascular changes associated with surgery. The implications for post-operative recovery are unclear, particularly in frail and older patients. We retrospectively explored patient notes for evidence of post-operative orthostatic intolerance in relation to pre-operative orthostatic hypotension. METHODS: Supine and 1-minute and 3-minute standing blood pressure measures obtained from adult patients before mainly general, orthopedic or uro/gynecology surgery were compared to post-operative outcome, specifically, evidence in patient notes about falls, feeling dizzy/unsteady and/or fearful to stand. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a 20 mmHg or more and/or 10 mmHg or more fall in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively, within ~3 minutes of standing after lying supine for an electrocardiogram. RESULTS: Whilst all patients included had a 1-minute standing blood pressure assessment (N = 170), 3-minute assessment was performed less commonly (N = 113). Nevertheless, one-quarter (23.5%; N = 40) of 170 patients had pre-operative orthostatic hypotension. This was not clearly explained by cardiac or neurological disease or by common medications, but did occur more frequently in older patients and in those aged 65 years or more with higher clinical frailty scale scores. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the number of patients progressing to surgery within the planned study timescale (N = 143/170; 84.1%). Nevertheless, patients with orthostatic hypotension stayed longer in hospital post-operatively and were more likely to have an episode of fall, unsteadiness and/or dizziness documented (un-prompted) in their notes. CONCLUSIONS: These data provide further impetus for research into modifiable perioperative risk factors associated with orthostatic hypotension. These risks are not confined to those with a pre-existing dysautonomia diagnosis.