DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i12.049

Pages: 5038-5048

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is multifactorial clinical syndrome poorly understood but important cause of orthostatic intolerance resulting from cardiovascular autonomic dysfunction. It’s defined by an excessive increase in heart rate with assumption of upright posture without orthostatic hypotension. Individuals affected by POTS are mainly young (aged between 15 years and 40 years) and predominantly female. Many overlapping pathophysiologies are behind POTS, including an autonomic neuropathy in the lower body, hypovolemia, hyperadrenergic states, mast cell activation and autoantibodies. Clinically, it’s form of chronic orthostatic intolerance associated with a > 6-month history of symptoms (palpitations, dizziness and occasionally syncope) that are relieved by recumbence. POTS have similarities to a number of other disorders, e.g., chronic fatigue syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, vasovagal syncope, and inappropriate sinus tachycardia. We aim in this article to review the characteristics of POTS and outline possible pathophysiological mechanisms of this syndrome, as well as current and investigational treatments.