COVID-19-Induced Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Dysautonomia

Abstract

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder characterized by orthostatic intolerance and, by definition, includes clinical symptoms of lightheadedness, palpitations, and tremulousness among others. It is considered a relatively rare condition that affects approximately 0.2% of the general population, and it is estimated that between 500,000 to 1,000,000 individuals in the United States have the condition and recently has been linked to post-infectious (viral) etiologies. We present a case of a 53-year-old woman who was diagnosed with POTS following extensive autoimmune workup, who was also status post-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction can affect global circulatory control, which describes increased heart rate even at resting states, and local circulatory disorders, such as coronary microvascular disease leading to vasospasm, as described by the patient’s chest pain, and venous retention leading to pooling and reduced venous return after standing. Along with tachycardia with orthostatic intolerance, other symptoms can also accompany the syndrome. In the majority of patients, intravascular volume is reduced, leading to decreased venous return to the heart and causing reflex tachycardia and orthostatic intolerance. Management varies from lifestyle modifications to pharmacologic therapy, to which patients generally show a good response. POTS should be a differential on the cards, especially in patients post-COVID-19 infection, as these symptoms can be misdiagnosed as having psychological etiologies.