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Cureus Aug 2021Orthostatic hypotension (OH) refers to a significant reduction in blood pressure (BP) that occurs on standing. It mainly results when autonomic reflexes are impaired or...
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) refers to a significant reduction in blood pressure (BP) that occurs on standing. It mainly results when autonomic reflexes are impaired or when the intravascular volume is depleted. Symptoms can range from syncope, dizziness, even angina or stroke. Major mechanisms causing OH are autonomic dysfunction affecting the baroreflex, severe volume depletion, and adverse medication effects. Case reports have described neurologic symptom association with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including dysautonomia. Although most common symptoms of COVID have been primarily respiratory including fever, cough, shortness of breath, myriad other presentations including neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and thromboembolic presentations have also been described. We describe a patient who was found to have OH and recurrent falls secondary to underlying COVID-19 infection and associated dysautonomia who was successfully treated with midodrine and fludrocortisone.
PubMed: 34532186
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17156 -
Immunologic Research Apr 2021To describe clinical features, diagnostic findings, treatments, and outcomes in patients with new-onset postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and other... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial
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.
Topics: Adult; Aged; COVID-19; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33786700
DOI: 10.1007/s12026-021-09185-5 -
Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Mar 2024Although orthostatic hypotension (OH) has long been recognized as a manifestation of autonomic dysfunction, a growing body of literature has identified OH as a common... (Review)
Review
Although orthostatic hypotension (OH) has long been recognized as a manifestation of autonomic dysfunction, a growing body of literature has identified OH as a common comorbidity of hypertension. This connection is complex, related to pathophysiology in blood pressure regulation and the manner by which OH is derived as the difference between 2 blood pressure measurements. While traditional therapeutic approaches to OH among patients with neurodegenerative disorders focus on increasing upright blood pressure to prevent cerebral hypoperfusion, the management of OH among patients with hypertension is more nuanced; resting hypertension is itself associated with adverse outcomes among these patients. Although there is substantial evidence that intensive blood pressure treatment does not cause OH in the majority of patients with essential hypertension, some classes of antihypertensive agents may unmask OH in patients with an underlying autonomic impairment. Practical steps to manage OH among adults with hypertension start with (1) a thorough characterization of its patterns, triggers, and cause; (2) review and removal of aggravating factors (often pharmacological agents not related to hypertension treatment); (3) optimization of an antihypertensive regimen; and (4) adoption of a tailored treatment strategy that avoids exacerbating hypertension. These strategies include countermaneuvers and short-acting vasoactive agents (midodrine, droxidopa). Ultimately, further research is needed on the epidemiology of OH, the impact of hypertension treatment on OH, approaches to the screening and diagnosis of OH, and OH treatment among adults with hypertension to improve the care of these patients and their complex blood pressure pathophysiology.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Hypotension, Orthostatic; American Heart Association; Hypertension; Midodrine; Blood Pressure; Antihypertensive Agents; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
PubMed: 38205630
DOI: 10.1161/HYP.0000000000000236 -
Mayo Clinic Proceedings Oct 2019Pure autonomic failure (PAF) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the autonomic nervous system clinically characterized by orthostatic hypotension. The disorder has also... (Review)
Review
Pure autonomic failure (PAF) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the autonomic nervous system clinically characterized by orthostatic hypotension. The disorder has also been known as Bradbury-Eggleston syndrome, named for the authors of the 1925 seminal description. Patients typically present in midlife or later with orthostatic hypotension or syncope. Autonomic failure may also manifest as genitourinary, bowel, and thermoregulatory dysfunction. With widespread involvement, patients may present to a variety of different specialties and require multidisciplinary treatment approaches. Pathologically, PAF is characterized by predominantly peripheral deposition of α-synuclein. However, patients with PAF may progress into other synucleinopathies with central nervous system involvement.
Topics: Humans; Prognosis; Pure Autonomic Failure
PubMed: 31515103
DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.03.009 -
Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2012) Oct 2023After only Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. The incidence of this disease increases with age,... (Review)
Review
After only Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease. The incidence of this disease increases with age, especially for those above 70 years old. There are many risk factors that are well-established in the contribution to the development of PD, such as age, gender, ethnicity, rapid eye movement sleep disorder, high consumption of dairy products, traumatic brain injury, genetics, and pesticides/herbicides. Interestingly, smoking, consumption of caffeine, and physical activities are the protective factors of PD. A deficiency of dopamine in the substantia nigra of the brainstem is the main pathology. This, subsequently, alters the neurotransmitter, causing an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory signals. In addition, genetics is also involved in the pathogenesis of the disease. As a result, patients exhibit characteristic motor symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, bradykinesia, and postural instability, along with non-motor symptoms, including dementia, urinary incontinence, sleeping disturbances, and orthostatic hypotension. PD may resemble other diseases; therefore, it is important to pay attention to the diagnosis criteria. Parkinson's disease dementia can share common features with AD; this can include behavioral as well as psychiatric symptoms, in addition to the pathology being protein aggregate accumulation in the brain. For PD management, the administration of pharmacological treatment depends on the motor symptoms experienced by the patients. Non-pharmacological treatment plays a role as adjuvant therapy, while surgical management is indicated in chronic cases. This paper aims to review the etiology, risk factors, protective factors, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, associated conditions, and management of PD.
PubMed: 37811009
DOI: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000001142 -
Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine... Mar 2021This study aims to determine the association of sarcopenia with orthostatic hypotension (OH) which is a significant precursor to falls and related injuries in elderly...
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to determine the association of sarcopenia with orthostatic hypotension (OH) which is a significant precursor to falls and related injuries in elderly patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
A total of 91 outpatients (18 males, 73 females; mean age 79.3±4.0 years; range, 75 to 91 years) were prospectively enrolled and those who were eligible underwent comprehensive sarcopenia assessment including measurement of muscle mass, strength, physical performance, anthropometric measurements along with frailty tests. Patients classified as sarcopenic or non-sarcopenic based on these measurements underwent supine and standing blood pressure (BP) measurements. The frequency of OH was compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
Of the 91 patients, 29 (31.9%) had sarcopenia. There was no statistical difference in measurements of functional tests which consisted of gait speed, timed up-and-go test and handgrip strength. However, timed sit-to-stand test values were higher in sarcopenic patients (18.2±7.9 vs. 15.0±5.1, p=0.04). Patients with sarcopenia developed OA and intolerance more often compared to the non-sarcopenic patients (n=15 [50.0%] vs. n=14 [23.0%], p<0.01 and n=13 [44.8%] vs. n=9 [15.3%], p<0.01, respectively). The adjusted odds ratio for sarcopenia was 7.80 (95% confidence interval 1.77-34.45), p=0.007.
CONCLUSION
Age-related sarcopenia increases the risk of OA in the elderly. This may in part explain the increased incidence of falls and also help identification of risky elderly patients for orthostatic BP drops.
PubMed: 33948540
DOI: 10.5606/tftrd.2021.5461 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2022
PubMed: 36388207
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1052137 -
Kardiologia Polska Nov 2019Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a cardinal sign of cardiovascular (CV) autonomic dysfunction as a result of autonomic nervous system failure to control the postural... (Review)
Review
Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a cardinal sign of cardiovascular (CV) autonomic dysfunction as a result of autonomic nervous system failure to control the postural hemodynamic homeostasis. The proportion of individuals with OH increases with aging and chronic conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes, renal dysfunction, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. In individuals over 70 years of age, more than 20% can be affected. It is now increasingly recognized that there is a direct relationship between OH and each step of the CV disease continuum, eventually leading to end‑stage heart disease and CV death. In particular, prevalent OH is associated with cardiac functional and structural remodeling, left ventricular hypertrophy, elevated levels of circulating markers of inflammation, increased intima‑media thickness, subclinical atherosclerosis, and thrombosis. Beyond subclinical changes, the presence of OH independently predicts coronary events, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and CV mortality. Furthermore, OH is associated with syncope, falls, and fragility fractures, presenting hurdles to be overcome in the delivery of the best management of CV risk factors. Taken together, OH heralds disruption of global circulatory homeostasis and flags overt autonomic dysfunction. The presence of OH is also an independent risk factor for mortality and CV disease; however, until now, the importance of this highly prevalent disorder has been given insufficient attention by clinicians and other healthcare providers. Consequently, more studies are needed to find effective treatment for this troublesome condition and to identify preventive measures that could reduce the burden of CV risk in OH and autonomic dysfunction.
Topics: Autonomic Nervous System; Cardiovascular Diseases; Humans; Hypotension, Orthostatic
PubMed: 31713533
DOI: 10.33963/KP.15055 -
Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine 2020
PubMed: 32850988
DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2020.00141