Date of Award

2017

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C

Abstract

Objective The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not pharmacologic therapy for blood pressure control effective at reducing symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

Study Design Systematic review of two single blind crossover randomized control trials published in 2009 and 2012 and one retrospective case control study published in 2009.

Data Sources Three studies were obtained using PubMed. Outcomes Measured Self reported symptoms of POTS and the Vanderbilt POTS symptom scoring system as well as quality of life in patients.

Results Raj et al. (2009), Coffin et al. (2012), and Lai et al. (2009) all demonstrated improvement in symptoms and quality of life with blood pressure altering medications in patients with POTS.

Conclusion Evidence to support effective treatment for symptom relief and quality of life improvement it patients with POTS is scarce in the current literature. This systematic review indicates that evidence is strong for efficacy of β-blockers and DDAVP to control standing HR and improve overall symptom burden in POTS patients compared to placebo and other treatment modalities. Future studies comparing the control of catecholamines vs β-adrenergic blockade in POTS would be beneficial for the understanding

Included in

Cardiology Commons

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