Objective Hemodynamic Cardiovascular Autonomic Abnormalities in Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19

Background: Many COVID-19 patients are left with symptoms several months after resolution of the acute illness; this syndrome is known as post-acute sequalae of COVID-19 (PASC). We aimed to determine the prevalence of objective hemodynamic cardiovascular autonomic ab-normalities (CAA), explore sex differences, and assess the prevalence of CAA among hospitalized vs nonhospitalized patients with PASC.Methods: Patients with PASC (n = 70; female [F] = 56; 42 years of age; 95% confidence interval [CI], 40-48) completed standard auto-nomic tests, including an active stand test 399 days (338, 455) after their COVID-19 infection. Clinical autonomic abnormalities were evaluated.Results: Most patients with PASC met the criteria for at least 1 CAA (51; 73%; F = 43). The postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome hemodynamic (POTSHR) criterion of a heart rate increase of > 30 beats per minute within 5 to 10 minutes of standing was seen in 21 patients (30%; F = 20; P = 0.037 [by sex]). The initial orthostatic hypotension hemodynamic (IOH40) criterion of a transient systolic blood pressure change of > 40 mm Hg in the first 15 seconds of standing was seen in 43 (61%) patients and equally among female and male patients (63% vs 57%; P = 0.7). Only 9 (13%) patients were hospitalized; hospitalized vs nonhospitalized patients had similar fre-quencies of abnormalities (67% vs 74%; P = 0.7).Conclusions: Patients with PASC have evidence of CAA, most commonly IOH40, which will be missed unless an active stand test is used. Female patients have increased frequency of POTSHR, but IOH40 is equally prevalent between sexes. Finally, even nonhospitalized mild infections can result in long-term CAAs.

Automated summary

The study found that COVID-19 patients with post-acute sequalae have cardiovascular autonomic abnormalities, mainly postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and initial orthostatic hypotension. The frequency of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is higher in female patients, while the frequency of initial orthostatic hypotension is equal between male and female patients. Even nonhospitalized patients may experience long-term cardiovascular autonomic abnormalities.