Propranolol decreases tachycardia and improves symptoms in the postural tachycardia syndrome: less is more.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS) induces disabling chronic orthostatic intolerance with an excessive increase in heart rate on standing. beta-Blockade is an appealing treatment approach, but conflicting preliminary reports are conflicting. We tested the hypothesis that propranolol will attenuate the tachycardia and improve symptom burden in patients with POTS. In protocol 1, a low dose (20 mg) was compared with placebo, and the dose response was assessed in protocol 2.

Methods and results

In protocol 1, patients with POTS (n=54) underwent acute drug trials of propranolol 20 mg orally and placebo, on separate mornings, in a randomized crossover design. Blood pressure, heart rate, and symptoms were assessed while the patients were seated and after standing for u

SUBMITTER: Raj SR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2758650 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature