Autoimmunity in Long Covid and POTS.

Orthostatic intolerance and other autonomic dysfunction syndromes are emerging as distinct symptom clusters in Long Covid. Often accompanying these are common, multi-system constitutional features such as fatigue, malaise and skin rashes which can signify generalized immune dysregulation. At the same time, multiple autoantibodies are identified in both Covid-related autonomic disorders and non-Covid autonomic disorders, implying a possible underlying autoimmune pathology.

New horizons in the ageing autonomic nervous system: orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension.

Blood pressure regulation is an automatic, moment-by-moment buffering of the blood pressure in response to physiological changes such as orthostasis, exercise and haemorrhage. This finely orchestrated reflex is called the baroreflex. It is a regulated arc of afferent, central and efferent arms.

"Be Careful What You Swallow": A Case Series of Swallow Syncope.

Swallow (deglutition) syncope is a rare form of neurally mediated cardioinhibitory reflex syncope occurring during swallowing. Patients may present to clinicians across multiple disciplines, so high awareness and careful evaluation are essential. We report 3 such individuals, describing our strategies in diagnosis, investigation and treatment, particularly focusing on conservative management.

Orthostatic hypotension in older people: considerations, diagnosis and management.

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is very common in older people and is encountered daily in emergency departments and medical admissions units. It is associated with a higher risk of falls, fractures, dementia and death, so prompt recognition and treatment are essential. In this review article, we describe the physiology of standing (orthostasis) and the pathophysiology of orthostatic hypotension.

Autonomic dysfunction in 'long COVID': rationale, physiology and management strategies.

The SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented morbidity, mortality and global disruption. Following the initial surge of infections, focus shifted to managing the longer-term sequelae of illness in survivors. 'Post-acute COVID' (known colloquially as 'long COVID') is emerging as a prevalent syndrome.

Predicting vasovagal syncope from heart rate and blood pressure: A prospective study in 140 subjects.

Background: We developed a vasovagal syncope (VVS) prediction algorithm for use during head-up tilt with simultaneous analysis of heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). We previously tested this algorithm retrospectively in 1155 subjects, showing sensitivity 95%, specificity 93%, and median prediction time 59 seconds.

Objective: The purpose of this prospective, single-center study of 140 subjects was to evaluate this VVS prediction algorithm and to assess whether retrospective results were reproduced and clinically relevant.

ST-Elevation Magnitude Correlates With Right Ventricular Outflow Tract Conduction Delay in Type I Brugada ECG.

Background: The substrate location and underlying electrophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the characteristic ECG pattern of Brugada syndrome (BrS) are still debated. Using noninvasive electrocardiographical imaging, we studied whole heart conduction and repolarization patterns during ajmaline challenge in BrS individuals.

Methods And Results: A total of 13 participants (mean age, 44±12 years; 8 men), 11 concealed patients with type I BrS and 2 healthy controls, underwent an ajmaline infusion with electrocardiographical imaging and ECG recordings.

Respiration driven excessive sinus tachycardia treated with clonidine.

A 26-year-old man presented to our syncope service with debilitating daily palpitations, shortness of breath, presyncope and syncope following a severe viral respiratory illness 4 years previously. Mobitz type II block had previously been identified, leading to a permanent pacemaker and no further episodes of frank syncope. Transthoracic echocardiography, electophysiological study and repeated urine metanepherines were normal.

Diagnostic role of head-up tilt test in patients with cough syncope.

Aims: The aim of this study was to describe the head-up tilt (HUT) test and carotid sinus massage (CSM) responses, and the occurrence of syncope with coughing during HUT in a large cohort of patients.

Methods And Results: A total of 5133 HUT were retrospectively analysed to identify patients with cough syncope. Head-up tilt followed by CSM were performed.

A long-term follow-up of patients with prolonged asystole of greater than 15s on head-up tilt testing.

Background: Head-up tilt (HUT) is used for diagnosis of vasovagal syncope (VVS), and can provoke cardioinhibition. VVS is usually considered benign, however pacemaker insertion may be indicated in some patients. We sought to characterize the long-term outcomes of patients with prolonged asystole (>15s) on HUT.