(POTS) – What? - Heart Rhythm Congress

Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
(POTS) – What? Why? How?
Satish R Raj MD MSCI FACC FHRS FRCPC
Associate Professor of Cardiac Sciences
University of Calgary
Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine
Autonomic Dysfunction Center
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Birmingham, UK - October 2014
Case Presentation - AP

ONSET






Age 26 years; SWF; works in music industry
Dx “Pneumonia” -> inhalers
Developed “spells of tachycardia”
Cardiologist #1 proposed EP Study/Ablation
Cardiologist #2 -> Tilt Test
Associated Symptoms




Lightheaded/presyncope (standing)
Intermittent stabbing chest pains (standing)
Mental clouding (“brain fog”)
Severe fatigue
Case Presentation – AP (2)
Orthostatic Challenge
Position
HR (bpm)
BP (mmHg)
Supine – 15 min
73
103/72
Upright – 1 min
106
109/80
Upright – 3 min
105
106/83
Upright – 5 min
122
118/75
Upright – 10 min
121
118/78
WHAT is POTS?
Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
- Common Criteria

Orthostatic tachycardia > 30 bpm


BP > 20/10 mmHg
Symptoms of sympathetic activation


>40 bpm required if <18 years
No consistent orthostatic hypotension


Phillip Low MD
Mayo Clinic
Worse upright; better recumbent
Chronic symptoms > 6 months
POTS - Mimics & Associations

Mimics




Acute infections
Multiple sclerosis
Sjogren’s syndrome
Associations

Joint Hypermobility Syndrome



Ehlers Danlos Syndrome – Hypermobility
Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
POTS - Common Symptoms
Cardiac
Non-Cardiac


Rapid Heartbeat
Chest Discomfort
Short of Breath
Lightheaded

Exercise Intolerance








Mental Clouding
Headache
Nausea
Tremulousness
Fatigue
Sleep Complaints
Tilt Testing
POTS
Control
200
Heart
Rate
(bpm)
0
200
Blood
Pressure
(mmHg)
50
Tilt
Angle
(deg)
60
0
SR Raj, Indian Pacing Electrophysiol J. 2006;6:84-99
Symptoms Score (au)
POTS: Feel awful when upright
35
POTS
Control
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
0
10
20
30
Tilt (60) Time
SR Raj & RS Sheldon, Tilt Table Testing in
S Saksena & AJ Camm Electrophysiological Disorders of the Heart 2nd Ed. (2011)
POTS – Who is affected?

Prevalence ½ million in USA
Female (~80-85%)
Typically aged 13-50 years

Significant functional disability


Quality of Life in POTS
Kanika Bagai
Health Related Quality of Life (SF-36)
– Chronic Illnesses
Back Pain
ESRD
Dialysis
100
Score
75
50
25
0
Physical
Mental
SF36 Sub-Scores
Health Related Quality of Life (SF-36)
– Chronic Illnesses
POTS
Back Pain
ESRD
Dialysis
100
Score
75
50
25
0
Physical
Mental
SF36 Sub-Scores
Modified from K Bagai et al., J Clin Sleep Med 2011
Sleep Problems Correlate with Poor HRQL
Physical
Mental
60
70
Healthy
SF36 Physical
60




 
 

  



 








50
POTS













30




 









 




 

 


 
 


40

 

  
 


POTS










 







30





   



 
20






 

  



20
2
R-Square
= 0.62
R =0.62
10


Healthy



 


 




40
50

SF36 Mental


R2=0.60
R-Square = 0.60
10
0
25
50
75
MOS Sleep Problems Index
100
0
25
50
75
100
MOS Sleep Problems Index
Modified from K Bagai et al., J Clin Sleep Med 2011
WHY do they have POTS?
… ‘final common pathway’ of
hundreds of genetic and acquired
autonomic and cardiovascular
entities
- David Robertson
David Robertson
Pathophysiology of POTS –
The Challenge
Blind men and the Elephant

It was six men of Hindustan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the Elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind

They conclude that the elephant is like a
wall, snake, spear, tree, fan or rope,
depending upon where they touch.
Ancient Hindu Parable retold by John Godfrey Saxe (1816–1887)
Pathophysiology of POTS
Satish
POTS - Pathophysiologies





Mast Cell Activation
Partial Autonomic Neuropathy
Leg Blood Flow Abnormalities
Hypovolemia
Hyperadrenergic



Increased Release
Decreased Clearance
Antibodies are Evil…
POTS and Mast Cells





Spot (4 hour) urine collection
If syncopal/flushing attack, 1-2 hour urine
collection
Mast cell activation disorder
Often aspirin sensitivity
Therapy:



H1 + H2 blockade
ASA
Alpha-methyldopa
Italo Biaggioni
C Shibao et al., Hypertension 2005
Neuropathic POTS
Normal
nPOTS
Giris Jacob
Reduced NE Spillover in legs
Abnormal sweat test (QSART) in legs
G Jacob et al., N Engl J Med. 2000;343:1008-14
Leg Blood Flow May Identify
Different Subpopulations of POTS
Julian Stewart
Stewart J M et al. AJP Heart Circ Physiol 2003;285:H2749-H2756
Blood Volume &
Renin-AngiotensinAldosterone System in POTS
Plasma Volume is Low in POTS
PV Deviation (%)
15
10
Control
POTS
P<0.001
5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
-25
Adapted from SR Raj et al., Circulation 2005;111:1574-1582
Plasma Renin Activity & Aldosterone
are inappropriately low in
POTS…when one would expect them
elevated
POTS
P=0.996
P=0.941
3.0
1000
Aldosterone (pM)
Renin ((ng/ml)/hr)
3.5
Control
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
POTS
P=0.017
Control
P=0.019
750
500
250
0
Supine
Standing
Supine
Standing
Adapted from SR Raj et al., Circulation 2005;111:1574-1582
RAAS Schema in POTS
PRA
AGT
ACE
ANG I
ANG II
Aldo
ACE2
ANG (1-7)
Blood
Volume
Adapted from HI Mustafa et al., Heart Rhythm. 2011;8:422-8.
Conclusions – RAAS in POTS


Things are screwy
Unusual RAAS profile in POTS




More work is needed to understand physiology




Low blood volume
Low plasma renin activity
Low aldosterone
Decreased ACE2 activity?
Elevated ANG II due to less degradation?
Why are aldosterone levels low?
Can the kidney not hold onto sodium in POTS?

May explain the need for high sodium diets and low
blood volume in POTS.
Hyperadrenergic POTS
– Increased SNS Nerve Firing
Normal
hPOTS
Hyperadrenergic POTS
– Decreased NE Clearance
A Norepinephrine Synapse
NET
Slide courtesy of
Alex Nackenoff
(Vanderbilt)
A Norepinephrine Synapse
NET
SNS
Tone
Slide courtesy of
Alex Nackenoff
(Vanderbilt)
SS
A369P N375S
N292T
A4 5 7 P
K463R
G4 7 8 S
T9 9 I
Y548H
P
V6 9 I
P
P
V356L
P
V4 4 9 I
P
V2 4 5 I
F528C
P
Shannon JR, NEJM 2000; 342:541-9.
Reaction at Vanderbilt

Excitement

The cause of POTS has been found!!!
POTS Patients with NET
mutations: 2000-2010




No other patients had this mutation.
We had just about given up hope in NET
defects as a cause of POTS…
Variable Expression of NET Protein in
POTS
Courtesy of Murray Esler, Baker IDI
(Melbourne, Australia)
Decreased NET Protein
Expression in some POTS Patients
Lambert E et al. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 2008;1:103-109
Role of Antibodies in POTS
1.
2.
3.
AChR Antibody
Adrenergic Antibodies
Lipid/Cardiac RAFT Antibodies
Ganglionic Acetylcholine Receptor Ab

Discovered at Mayo Clinic



Steve Vernino & Vanda Lennon
Loss of function Ab at Autonomic
Ganglia
Prevalence in POTS

Mayo: ~7-14% of POTS patients



Now reportedly lower per Dr. P Low (Mayo)
Vanderbilt: 0% of POTS patients
Presentation is usually Autonomic
Failure


Orthostatic hypotension
Constipation, pupil findings
Schroeder C et al. NEJM 2005;353:1585-1590
POTS Patient serum stimulates
adrenergic receptors
H Li et al., JAHA 2014; 3(1):e000755.
1-AR mediated
cAMP release
2-AR mediated
cAMP release
Beta-receptor activation from POTS sera
H Li et al., JAHA 2014; 3(1):e000755.
The Model
How could the Ab
contribute to the
POTS phenotype?
H Li et al., JAHA 2014; 3(1):e000755.
POTS – HOW to Manage?
Investigation & Treatment
POTS: Investigations







History & Physical Examination
Orthostatic Vital Signs
CBC, BMP
Autonomic Reflex Testing
Echocardiogram
Blood Volume Assessment
Exercise Capacity Assessment
POTS: Treatment Approaches


Exercise
Increase Blood Volume







Hemodynamic Agents





Oral Water
Increase Salt (diet vs. tablets)
Fludrocortisone
Octreotide
IV Saline
Acute DDAVP-H2O
Midodrine
Propranolol
Pyridostigmine
Ivabradine (emerging)
Behavioral Therapies
Exercise in POTS

Historically


“good thing to do”
Many patients could not/would not


Anecdotally, those patients that did exercise
did better over time


excessive fatigue (~days) and intolerance
Cause/effect vs. selection bias
Now

Recent data on effects of exercise training in
POTS from Dallas, Vienna, & Mayo…
Exercise Study in POTS - Design
Cardiac MRI
Maximal
Exercise Test
Blood Volume
Measurement
3 months of
exercise training
45-min 60
Upright Tilt
Screening
45-min 60
Upright Tilt
Blood Volume
Measurement
Maximal
Exercise Test
Cardiac MRI
Exercise in POTS - Benefits

Short-term exercise training in POTS





Increases fitness levels
Increases blood volume
Cardiac Remodeling
Normalizes Sympathetic Activity
Decreases Orthostatic Tachycardia
Qi Fu et al., JACC 2010;55:2858-68
Exercise in POTS – How To?

Focus on Aerobic Activity


Must be Regular



Every other day (4/week)
30min/session -> 45-60min/session
NO UPRIGHT EXERCISES




Some resistance training focused on thighs
Rowing machines
Recumbent Cycles
Swimming
Takes 4-5 weeks to start seeing benefits
Qi Fu et al., JACC 2010;55:2858-68
POTS: Treatment Approaches


Exercise
Increase Blood Volume







Hemodynamic Agents





Oral Water
Increase Salt (diet vs. tablets)
Fludrocortisone
Octreotide
IV Saline
Acute DDAVP-H2O
Midodrine
Propranolol
Pyridostigmine
Ivabradine (emerging)
Behavioral Therapies
IV Saline (1L) Acutely Decreases
Orthostatic Tachycardia…a LOT!!
G Jacob et al. Circulation 1997;96:575-580
DDAVP+H2O reduces standing HR
Heart Rate (bpm)
125
Placebo
DDAVP+H2O
120
115
PTime =0.001
110
PDrug=0.001
105
PINT =0.001
100
95
90
85
Pre
1H
2H
3H
4H
Time Post Dose
ST Coffin et al., Heart Rhythm. 2012;9:1484-90
POTS: Treatment Approaches


Exercise
Increase Blood Volume







Hemodynamic Agents





Oral Water
Increase Salt (diet vs. tablets)
Fludrocortisone
Octreotide
IV Saline
Acute DDAVP-H2O
Midodrine
Propranolol
Pyridostigmine
Ivabradine (emerging)
Behavioral Therapies
Midodrine Decreases Orthostatic
Tachycardia…a little bit.
Jacob, G. et al. Circulation 1997;96:575-580
Beta-Blockers in POTS

PRO

Intuitively appealing


High HR -> Lower it
CON


Stewart et al. studied IV esmolol and found
that it DID NOT improve orthostatic tolerance
Many patients report “intolerance to betablockers”
Propranolol 20mg lowers Orthostatic
Tachycardia
Orthostatic
Increase in HR
Heart Rate (bpm)
Placebo
Propranolol
130
PDrug <0.001
PInt <0.001
120
110
100
90
80
70
Pre
1H
2H
3H
Time Post Dose
4H
Change in Heart Rate (bpm)
Standing HR
Propranolol
40
Placebo
PDrug <0.001
30
20
10
0
Pre
1H
2H
3H
4H
Time Post Dose
SR Raj et al. Circulation 2009;120:725-734
Propranolol Improves Symptoms…
Symptoms
Symptoms (a.u.)
26
Propranolol
Placebo
24
22
20
PInt =0.04
18
16
14
12
Pre
2H
4H
Time Post Dose
SR Raj et al. Circulation 2009;120:725-734
…but Less is More
 Symptoms Score (a.u.)
Propranolol 20mg
Propranolol 80mg
0
-5
-10
P =0.041
Wilcoxon
-15
SR Raj et al. Circulation 2009;120:725-734
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition

Pyridostigmine



Peripheral AChEI
Increases availability of synaptic ACh
Ganglionic Nicotinic Receptor


Postganglionic Muscarinic Receptor


 SNS &  PNS
 PNS
Might decrease tachycardia in POTS
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition
135
130
125
120
115
110
105
100
95
90
Pyridostigmine
P=0.001
Placebo
P=0.160
P<0.001
P<0.001
Pre
2H
4H
Symptoms
Change in Symptom Score
(au)
Heart Rate (bpm)
Standing Heart Rate
5
Pyridostigmine
Placebo
0
-5
P=0.025
-10
-15
Time Post Dose
SR Raj et al., Circulation 2005;111:2734-2740
Norepinephrine Transporter
Inhibition
Standing
A
Atomoxetine
100
Placebo
Heart Rate (bpm)
Heart Rate (bpm)
130
Seated
B
120
110
100
PInt <0.001
90
Atomoxetine
95
Placebo
90
85
80
75
PInt =0.029
70
Pre
1H
2H
3H
Time Post Dose
4H
Pre
1H
2H
3H
4H
Time Post Dose
SR Raj et al., AAS Presentation (2010)
Norepinephrine Transporter
Inhibition
Orthostatic Change
 Heart Rate (bpm)
40
Atomoxetine
Symptoms: 0 to 2h
Placebo
35
30
25
20
PInt =0.001
15
Pre
1H
2H
3H
Time Post Dose
4H
 Symptoms Score (a.u.)
C
6
4
2
0
-2
-4
Atomoxetine
Placebo
P =0.028
-6
-8
SR Raj et al., AAS Presentation (2010)
POTS: Treatment Approaches


Exercise
Increase Blood Volume







Hemodynamic Agents





Oral Water
Increase Salt (diet vs. tablets)
Fludrocortisone
Octreotide
IV Saline
Acute DDAVP-H2O
Midodrine
Propranolol
Pyridostigmine
Ivabradine (emerging)
Behavioral Therapies
What Type of POTS Do I
Have?
Challenges:
1. Overlapping Subsets
2. Lost in Translation
What Type of POTS Do I Have?
Hyperadrenergic POTS
Hypovolemic POTS
Neuropathic POTS
What Type of POTS Do I Have?
Hyperadrenergic POTS
Hypovolemic POTS
Neuropathic POTS
Lost in Translation
Not my M-I-L
Prognosis of POTS
“Prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.”
Niels Bohr (1885-1962);
Nobel Prize (Physics) 1922
POTS – Take Home Messages

POTS


chronic disorder associated with significant
disability
Syndrome…not one disease


Multiple pathophysiologies
Treatment




Exercise
Volume expansion
Heart rate control
Manage the “living with a chronic illness”
Questions?