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JAMA Network Open Apr 2024Many patients with post-COVID condition (PCC) experience persistent fatigue, muscle pain, and cognitive problems that worsen after exertion (referred to as... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
IMPORTANCE
Many patients with post-COVID condition (PCC) experience persistent fatigue, muscle pain, and cognitive problems that worsen after exertion (referred to as postexertional malaise). Recommendations currently advise against exercise in this population to prevent symptom worsening; however, prolonged inactivity is associated with risk of long-term health deterioration.
OBJECTIVE
To assess postexertional symptoms in patients with PCC after exercise compared with control participants and to comprehensively investigate the physiologic mechanisms underlying PCC.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
In this randomized crossover clinical trial, nonhospitalized patients without concomitant diseases and with persistent (≥3 months) symptoms, including postexertional malaise, after SARS-CoV-2 infection were recruited in Sweden from September 2022 to July 2023. Age- and sex-matched control participants were also recruited.
INTERVENTIONS
After comprehensive physiologic characterization, participants completed 3 exercise trials (high-intensity interval training [HIIT], moderate-intensity continuous training [MICT], and strength training [ST]) in a randomized order. Symptoms were reported at baseline, immediately after exercise, and 48 hours after exercise.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was between-group differences in changes in fatigue symptoms from baseline to 48 hours after exercise, assessed via the visual analog scale (VAS). Questionnaires, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, inflammatory markers, and physiologic characterization provided information on the physiologic function of patients with PCC.
RESULTS
Thirty-one patients with PCC (mean [SD] age, 46.6 [10.0] years; 24 [77%] women) and 31 healthy control participants (mean [SD] age, 47.3 [8.9] years; 23 [74%] women) were included. Patients with PCC reported more symptoms than controls at all time points. However, there was no difference between the groups in the worsening of fatigue in response to the different exercises (mean [SD] VAS ranks for HIIT: PCC, 29.3 [19.5]; controls, 28.7 [11.4]; P = .08; MICT: PCC, 31.2 [17.0]; controls, 24.6 [11.7]; P = .09; ST: PCC, 31.0 [19.7]; controls, 28.1 [12.2]; P = .49). Patients with PCC had greater exacerbation of muscle pain after HIIT (mean [SD] VAS ranks, 33.4 [17.7] vs 25.0 [11.3]; P = .04) and reported more concentration difficulties after MICT (mean [SD] VAS ranks, 33.0 [17.1] vs 23.3 [10.6]; P = .03) compared with controls. At baseline, patients with PCC showed preserved lung and heart function but had a 21% lower peak volume of oxygen consumption (mean difference: -6.8 mL/kg/min; 95% CI, -10.7 to -2.9 mL/kg/min; P < .001) and less isometric knee extension muscle strength (mean difference: -37 Nm; 95% CI, -67 to -7 Nm; P = .02) compared with controls. Patients with PCC spent 43% less time on moderate to vigorous physical activity (mean difference, -26.5 minutes/d; 95% CI, -42.0 to -11.1 minutes/d; P = .001). Of note, 4 patients with PCC (13%) had postural orthostatic tachycardia, and 18 of 29 (62%) showed signs of myopathy as determined by neurophysiologic testing.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this study, nonhospitalized patients with PCC generally tolerated exercise with preserved cardiovascular function but showed lower aerobic capacity and less muscle strength than the control group. They also showed signs of postural orthostatic tachycardia and myopathy. The findings suggest cautious exercise adoption could be recommended to prevent further skeletal muscle deconditioning and health impairment in patients with PCC.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05445830.
Topics: Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; COVID-19; Fatigue; Myalgia; SARS-CoV-2; Tachycardia; Adult; Cross-Over Studies
PubMed: 38573638
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.4386 -
Ugeskrift For Laeger Apr 2024Spinal anaesthesia is considered an effective and safe method for providing pain relief during procedures below the waist. However, in a small subset of patients,...
Spinal anaesthesia is considered an effective and safe method for providing pain relief during procedures below the waist. However, in a small subset of patients, life-threatening vasovagal reactions may develop leading to severe bradycardia and hypotension or ultimately asystole and complete circulatory collapse. Early recognition and prompt treatment of this condition can be lifesaving as illustrated in this case report where the patient developed asystole for ten seconds shortly after placing the spinal anaesthetic.
Topics: Humans; Anesthesia, Spinal; Heart Arrest; Male; Syncope, Vasovagal; Female; Bradycardia
PubMed: 38704723
DOI: 10.61409/V11230702 -
Europace : European Pacing,... Aug 2023Over the last 25 years, the Europace journal has greatly contributed to dissemination of research and knowledge in the field of syncope. More than 400 manuscripts have...
Over the last 25 years, the Europace journal has greatly contributed to dissemination of research and knowledge in the field of syncope. More than 400 manuscripts have been published in the journal. They undoubtedly improved our understanding of syncope. This symptom is now clearly differentiated from other forms of transient loss of consciousness. The critical role of vasodepression and/or cardioinhibition as final mechanisms of reflex syncope is emphasized. Current diagnostic approach sharply separates between cardiac and autonomic pathways. Physiologic insights have been translated, through rigorously designed clinical trials, into non-pharmacological or pharmacological interventions and interventional therapies. The following manuscript is intended to give the reader the current state of the art of knowledge of syncope by highlighting landmark contributions of the Europace journal.
Topics: Humans; Syncope; Syncope, Vasovagal; Heart
PubMed: 37622579
DOI: 10.1093/europace/euad163 -
European Journal of Pediatrics Nov 2023This paper aims to improve the diagnosis of syncope and transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) in children. Diagnostic problems stem, first, from some causes spanning... (Review)
Review
This paper aims to improve the diagnosis of syncope and transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) in children. Diagnostic problems stem, first, from some causes spanning various disciplines, e.g. cardiology, neurology and psychiatry, while the most common cause, vasovagal syncope, is not embraced by any specialty. Second, clinical variability is huge with overlapping signs and symptoms. Third, the approach to TLOC/syncope of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) is underused in childcare. We explain the ESC guidelines using an additional paediatric literature review. Classification of TLOC and syncope is hierarchic and based on history taking. Loss of consciousness (LOC) is defined using three features: abnormal motor control including falling, reduced responsiveness and amnesia. Adding a < 5 min duration and spontaneous recovery defines TLOC. TLOC simplifies diagnosis by excluding long LOC (e.g. some trauma, intoxications and hypoglycaemia) and focussing on syncope, tonic-clonic seizures and functional TLOC. Syncope, i.e. TLOC due to cerebral hypoperfusion, is divided into reflex syncope (mostly vasovagal), orthostatic hypotension (mostly initial orthostatic hypotension in adolescents) and cardiac syncope (arrhythmias and structural cardiac disorders). The initial investigation comprises history taking, physical examination and ECG; the value of orthostatic blood pressure measurement is unproven in children but probably low. When this fails to yield a diagnosis, cardiac risk factors are assessed; important clues are supine syncope, syncope during exercise, early death in relatives and ECG abnormalities. Conclusions: In adults, the application of the ESC guidelines reduced the number of absent diagnoses and costs; we hope this also holds for children. What is Known: • Syncope and its mimics are very common in childhood, as they are at other ages. • Syncope and its mimics provide considerable diagnostic challenges. What is New: • Application of the hierarchic framework of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) simplifies diagnosis. • The framework stresses history-taking to diagnose common conditions while keeping an eye on cardiac danger signs.
Topics: Adult; Adolescent; Child; Humans; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Syncope; Syncope, Vasovagal; Unconsciousness; Heart Diseases
PubMed: 37470792
DOI: 10.1007/s00431-023-05114-w -
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia :... Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Syncope, Vasovagal; Syncope; Catheter Ablation; Tilt-Table Test
PubMed: 37263497
DOI: 10.1016/j.repc.2023.05.008 -
Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review 2023Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic debilitating condition of orthostatic intolerance, predominantly affecting young females. Other than... (Review)
Review
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a chronic debilitating condition of orthostatic intolerance, predominantly affecting young females. Other than postural tachycardia, symptoms of POTS include a spectrum of non-cardiac, systemic and neuropsychiatric features. Despite the availability of widespread pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic options, the management of POTS remains challenging. Exaggerated parasympathetic withdrawal and sympathetic overdrive during postural stress are principal mechanisms of postural tachycardia in POTS. Non-invasive, transcutaneous, vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) is known to restore sympathovagal balance and is emerging as a novel therapeutic strategy in cardiovascular conditions including arrhythmias and heart failure. Furthermore, tVNS also exerts immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. This review explores the effects of tVNS on the pathophysiology of POTS and its potential as an alternative non-pharmacological option in this condition.
PubMed: 38173801
DOI: 10.15420/aer.2023.20 -
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Jul 2023Orthostatic hypotension (OH) has been associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and dementia risk. To better understand the OH-dementia...
BACKGROUND
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) has been associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and dementia risk. To better understand the OH-dementia association, we assessed the associations of OH with CVD and subsequent dementia in older adults and considered the temporality of CVD and dementia onset.
METHODS
This 15-year population-based cohort study included, at baseline, 2703 dementia-free participants (mean age, 73.7 years) who were divided into a CVD-free cohort (n=1986) and a CVD cohort (n=717). OH was defined as a systolic/diastolic blood pressure decline of ≥20/10 mm Hg after standing up from a supine position. CVDs and dementia were ascertained by physicians or identified from registers. Multistate Cox regressions were applied to assess the associations of OH with CVD and subsequent dementia in the CVD-free and dementia-free cohort. The OH-dementia association in the CVD cohort was examined with Cox regressions.
RESULTS
OH was present in 434 (21.9%) individuals in the CVD-free cohort and 180 (25.1%) individuals in the CVD cohort. OH was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.33 (95% CI, 1.12-1.59) for CVD. OH was not significantly associated with incident dementia in the absence of CVD occurring before dementia diagnosis (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 0.83-1.81]). In the CVD cohort, individuals with OH had a higher dementia risk than those without OH (hazard ratio, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.06-2.23]).
CONCLUSIONS
The association between OH and dementia may partly be explained by the intermediate development of CVD. In addition, in people with CVD, those with OH may have a poorer cognitive prognosis.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Cardiovascular Diseases; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Cohort Studies; Blood Pressure; Risk Factors
PubMed: 37203439
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21210 -
Scientific Reports Jan 2024Autonomic symptom questionnaires are frequently used to assess dysautonomia. It is unknown whether subjective dysautonomia obtained from autonomic questionnaires...
Autonomic symptom questionnaires are frequently used to assess dysautonomia. It is unknown whether subjective dysautonomia obtained from autonomic questionnaires correlates with objective dysautonomia measured by quantitative autonomic testing. The objective of our study was to determine correlations between subjective and objective measures of dysautonomia. This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital Autonomic Laboratory between 2017 and 2023 evaluating the patients who completed autonomic testing. Analyses included validated autonomic questionnaires [Survey of Autonomic Symptoms (SAS), Composite Autonomic Symptom Score 31 (Compass-31)] and standardized autonomic tests (Valsalva maneuver, deep breathing, sudomotor, and tilt test). The autonomic testing results were graded by a Quantitative scale for grading of cardiovascular reflexes, sudomotor tests and skin biopsies (QASAT), and Composite Autonomic Severity Score (CASS). Autonomic testing, QASAT, CASS, and SAS were obtained in 2627 patients, and Compass-31 in 564 patients. The correlation was strong between subjective instruments (SAS vs. Compass-31, r = 0.74, p < 0.001) and between objective instruments (QASAT vs. CASS, r = 0.81, p < 0.001). There were no correlations between SAS and QASAT nor between Compass-31 and CASS. There continued to be no correlations between subjective and objective instruments for selected diagnoses (post-acute sequelae of COVID-19, n = 61; postural tachycardia syndrome, 211; peripheral autonomic neuropathy, 463; myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome, 95; preload failure, 120; post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, 163; hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, 213; neurogenic orthostatic hypotension, 86; diabetes type II, 71, mast cell activation syndrome, 172; hereditary alpha tryptasemia, 45). The lack of correlation between subjective and objective instruments highlights the limitations of the commonly used questionnaires with some patients overestimating and some underestimating true autonomic deficit. The diagnosis-independent subjective-objective mismatch further signifies the unmet need for reliable screening surveys. Patients who overestimate the symptom burden may represent a population with idiosyncratic autonomic-like symptomatology, which needs further study. At this time, the use of autonomic questionnaires as a replacement of autonomic testing cannot be recommended.
Topics: Humans; Female; Retrospective Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies; Surveys and Questionnaires; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome; Penicillanic Acid
PubMed: 38291116
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52368-x -
Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology... Aug 2023Parkinson's disease (PD) often presents with autonomic dysregulation, leading to blood pressure irregularities such as neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH),... (Review)
Review
Parkinson's disease (PD) often presents with autonomic dysregulation, leading to blood pressure irregularities such as neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH), neurogenic supine hypertension (nSH), and postprandial hypotension (PPH). Unfortunately, these conditions remain prevalent and receive insufficient attention in scientific discourse. They not only cause complications like syncope, falls, and fractures but also result in long-term damage to vital organs, diminishing patients' quality of life. Early implementation of appropriate non-pharmacologic management is crucial to prevent severe adverse events later on. This review focuses on the types, clinical characteristics, mechanisms, and common non-pharmacologic management measures for PD complicated by abnormal blood pressure. By promoting early diagnosis, recognizing symptoms of abnormal blood pressure, and employing non-pharmacologic interventions such as health education, dietary adjustments, exercise, and Chinese medicine techniques, we aim to improve patients' symptoms and quality of life while providing practical guidance for managing PD-related blood pressure abnormalities.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Blood Pressure; Quality of Life; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Hypertension
PubMed: 37865954
DOI: 10.26402/jpp.2023.4.01 -
Clinical Autonomic Research : Official... Aug 2023
Topics: Humans; Hypertension; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Hypotension, Orthostatic; Blood Pressure
PubMed: 37389705
DOI: 10.1007/s10286-023-00961-x