Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Associated with COVID-19: A Narrative Review.

ABSTRACT

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a complex condition marked by an atypical autonomic response to standing, leading to orthostatic intolerance and significant tachycardia without accompanying hypotension. In recent studies, a considerable number of individuals recovering from COVID-19 have been reported to experience POTS within 6 to 8 months post-infection. Key symptoms of POTS include fatigue, difficulty with orthostatic tolerance, tachycardia, and cognitive challenges. The underlying causes of POTS following COVID-19 remain unknown, with various theories proposed such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) dysregulation, hyperadrenergic reaction, and direct viral infection. Healthcare professionals should be vigilant for POTS in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 and are experiencing signs of autonomic dysfunction and use diagnostic procedures such as the tilt-up table test for confirmation. COVID-19-related POTS should be approached with a holistic strategy. Although many patients show improvement with initial non-drug treatments, for subjects who do not respond and exhibit more severe symptoms, medication-based therapies may be necessary. The current understanding of COVID-19-related POTS is limited, underscoring the need for more research to increase knowledge and enhance treatment approaches.