Sympathovagal balance analysis in idiopathic postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
Russo, V.; De Crescenzo, I.; Ammendola, E.; Santangelo, L.; Calabrò, R.
Acta Bio-Medica Atenei Parmensis 78(2): 133-138
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-4203 PMID: 17933281 Document Number: 610314
The idiopathic postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a complex disorder characterized by chronic orthostatic symptoms and an increase in heart rate within 10 minutes of standing on upright posture, without significant orthostatic hypotension. We describe a case of a 36 year-old patient with POTS, diagnosed by head-up tilt testing. Power spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), performed during the tilt test, revealed the ratio of low and high frequency powers (LF/HF) that increased with the onset of orthostatic intolerance. The increase in LF/HF power ratio may represent sympathetic beta-receptors hyperactivity. Atenolol alleviated his clinical symptoms.