Long-term follow-up of patients with postural tachycardia syndrome

• DOI: 10.1007/s10286-011-0155-1
• Publication Date: 2011-12-21T15:23:09Z
• Authors: Alexandra Sousa; Ana Lebreiro; João Freitas; Mª Júlia Maciel
• Keywords: Adult; Male; 3. Good health; Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome; Young Adult; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases; Orthostatic Intolerance; Humans; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Retrospective Studies

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) refers to the presence of orthostatic intolerance symptoms with a heart rate increment ≥ 30 bpm, usually up to ≥ 120 bpm. Pathophysiology and POTS's clinical presentation are heterogeneous and its prognosis is uncertain. We reviewed the major clinical characteristics of POTS patients and assessed their long-term follow-up. Our series results, one with the longest follow-up, illustrate POTS as a clinical entity with variable, but usually benign outcome, in which most patients can reassume their daily activities without great limitations, after proper diagnosis and treatment are made.