Serotonin syndrome presenting as acute dizziness with supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension.

Serotonin syndrome (SS) is a drug-induced clinical syndrome characterised by a combination of cognitive, neuromuscular and autonomic dysfunctions. The symptoms may include mild non-specific symptoms such as tremors and diarrhoea to coma and sudden death. Herein, we describe a case of SS in which acute dizziness was associated with supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension. A man in his mid-30s had a 10-month history of anxiety, depression and chronic tension-type headache. He had been on amitriptyline (25 mg daily) and sertraline (50 mg daily). Increment of sertraline (75 mg daily) and amitriptyline (75 mg daily) and the addition of tramadol led to the development of acute severe dizziness. Physical examinations demonstrate supine hypertension and orthostatic hypotension. He also met the diagnostic criteria of SS. The administration of cyproheptadine provided a complete response to dizziness, supine hypertension, orthostatic hypotension and other clinical features of SS.

Orthostatic hypotension and cognitive impairment: Systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.

The association between cognitive disorders and orthostatic hypotension (OH) has been empirically explored, but the results have been divergent, casting doubt on the presence and direction of the association. The objective of this meta-analysis was to systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the association of OH and cognitive function, specifically mean score on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), cognitive impairment and incident dementia. A Medline search was conducted in May 2022 with no date limit, using the MeSH terms "orthostatic hypotension" OR "orthostatic intolerance" OR "hypotension" combined with the Mesh terms "cognitive dysfunction" OR "Alzheimer disease" OR "dementia" OR "cognition disorder" OR "neurocognitive disorder" OR "cognition" OR "neuropsychological test". Of the 746 selected studies, 15 longitudinal studies met the selection criteria, of which i) 5 studies were eligible for meta-analysis of mean MMSE score comparison, ii) 5 studies for the association of OH and cognitive impairment, and iii) 6 studies for the association between OH and incident dementia. The pooled effect size in fixed-effects meta-analysis was: i) -0.25 (-0.42; -0.07) for the mean MMSE score, which indicates that the MMSE score was lower for those with OH; ii) OR (95 % CI) = 1.278 (1.162; 1.405), P < 0.0001, indicating a 28 % greater risk of cognitive impairment for those with OH at baseline; and iii) HR (95 % CI) = 1.267 (1.156; 1.388), P < 0.0001, indicating a 27 % greater risk of incident dementia for those with OH at baseline. Patients with OH had a lower MMSE score and higher risk of cognitive impairment and incident dementia in this meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. This study confirmed the presence of an association between OH and cognitive disorders in older adults.

[Afferent baroreflex failure with hyponatremia: A case report].

Afferent baroreflex failure (ABF) is a rare disease. It refers to the clinical syndrome caused by the impairment of the afferent limb of the baroreflex or its central connections at the level of the medulla. The recognized causes include trauma, surgery in related areas (radical neck tumor surgery, carotid endarterectomy), neck radiotherapy, brain stem stroke, tumor growth paraganglioma and hereditary diseases, among which the most common cause is extensive neck surgery or radiotherapy for neck cancer. The main manifestations are fluctuating hypertension, orthostatic hypotension, paroxysmal tachycardia and bradycardia. This case is a young man, whose main feature is blood pressure fluctuation, accom-panied by neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH). After examination, the common causes of hypertension and nOH were ruled out. Combined with the previous neck radiotherapy and neck lymph node dissection, it was considered that the blood pressure regulation was abnormal due to the damage of carotid sinus baroreceptor after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma and neck lymph node dissection, which was called ABF. At the same time, the patient was complicated with chronic hyponatremia. Combined with clinical and laboratory examination, the final consideration was caused by syndrome of in- appropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH). Baroreceptors controlled the secretion of heart rate, blood pressure and antidiuretic hormone through the mandatory "inhibition" signal. We speculate that the carotid sinus baroreceptor was damaged after neck radiotherapy and surgery, which leads to abnormal blood pressure regulation and nOH, while the function of inhibiting ADH secretion was weakened, resulting in higher ADH than normal level and mild hyponatremia. The goal of treating ABF patients was to reduce the frequency and amplitude of sudden changes in blood pressure and heart rate, and to alleviate the onset of symptomatic hypotension. At present, drug treatment is still controversial, and non-drug treatment may alleviate some patients' symptoms, but long-term effective treatment still needs further study. The incidence of ABF is not high, but it may lead to serious cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events, and the mechanism involved is extremely complicated, and there are few related studies. The reports of relevant medical records warn that patients undergoing neck radiotherapy or surgery should minimize the da-mage to the baroreceptor in the carotid sinus in order to reduce the adverse prognosis caused by complications.

Associations Between Onset Age of Orthostatic Hypotension and Incident Myocardial Infarction, Stroke, and Dementia: A Prospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The associations of age at orthostatic hypotension onset with incident myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and dementia remain unknown. This study aimed to examine whether younger onset age of orthostatic hypotension was associated with higher risks of incident MI, stroke, and dementia. METHODS: Data were obtained from the UK Biobank. Information on the diagnosis of orthostatic hypotension, MI, stroke, and dementia was collected at baseline (2006-2010) and follow-ups (median = 13 years). The propensity score matching method and the Cox proportional hazard models were employed. RESULTS: A total of 448 374 adults (mean age: 56.8 ±â€…8.1 years), of whom 3 795 had orthostatic hypotension, were included. orthostatic hypotension patients exhibited higher risks of developing MI, stroke, and dementia than non-orthostatic hypotension participants. Importantly, among orthostatic hypotension patients, younger onset age (per 10-year decrement) was significantly associated with high risks of MI (HR = 3.15, 95% CI: 2.54-3.90, p < .001), stroke (HR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.33-2.23, p < .001), and dementia (HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.02-1.57, p = .034). After propensity score matching, orthostatic hypotension patients had significantly higher risks of MI, stroke, and dementia than matched controls among all onset age groups, and the HRs gradually increased with descending onset age. CONCLUSIONS: Younger onset age of orthostatic hypotension was associated with higher risks of incident MI, stroke, and dementia, underscoring the necessity to pay additional attention to the cardiovascular health and neurocognitive status of individuals diagnosed with orthostatic hypotension at younger ages to attenuate subsequent risks of incident cardiovascular diseases and dementia.

Mechanism-based therapy of non-cardiac syncope: a practical guide.

The term non-cardiac syncope includes all forms of syncope, in which primary intrinsic cardiac mechanism and non-syncopal transient loss of consciousness can be ruled out. Reflex syncope and orthostatic hypotension are the most frequent aetiologies of non-cardiac syncope. As no specific therapy is effective for all types of non-cardiac syncope, identifying the underlying haemodynamic mechanism is the essential prerequisite for an effective personalized therapy and prevention of syncope recurrences. Indeed, choice of appropriate therapy and its efficacy are largely determined by the syncope mechanism rather than its aetiology and clinical presentation. The two main haemodynamic phenomena leading to non-cardiac syncope include either profound hypotension or extrinsic asystole/pronounced bradycardia, corresponding to two different haemodynamic syncope phenotypes, the hypotensive and bradycardic phenotypes. The choice of therapy-aimed at counteracting hypotension or bradycardia-depends on the given phenotype. Discontinuation of blood pressure-lowering drugs, elastic garments, and blood pressure-elevating agents such as fludrocortisone and midodrine are the most effective therapies in patients with hypotensive phenotype. Cardiac pacing, cardioneuroablation, and drugs preventing bradycardia such as theophylline are the most effective therapies in patients with bradycardic phenotype of extrinsic cause.

Effect of levodopa on postural blood pressure changes in Parkinson disease: a randomized crossover study.

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of levodopa on postural blood pressure changes in individuals with Parkinson disease (PD) with (PD+OH) and without neurogenic OH (PD-OH). METHODS: We performed a prospective randomized crossover study with autonomic testing performed ON and OFF levodopa. The primary outcome was the change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) from supine to 70° tilt at 3 min (ΔSBP-3'). Secondary outcomes included indices of baroreflex function and blood pressure and heart rate during tilt. RESULTS: We enrolled 40 individuals with PD (21 PD+OH, 19 PD-OH), mean age (SD) 73.2 years (7.9), 13 women (32.5%)). There was no difference in age, sex, disease duration, and severity between PD+OH and PD-OH. Mean difference in ΔSBP-3' ON versus OFF levodopa in the whole study population was - 3.20 mmHg [- 7.36 to 0.96] (p = 0.14). Mean difference in ΔSBP-3' was - 2.14 mmHg [- 7.55 to 3.28] (p = 0.45) in PD+OH and - 5.14 mmHg [- 11.63 to 1.35] (p = 0.14) in PD-OH. Mean difference in ΔSBP ON versus OFF levodopa was greater at 7 and 10 min (- 7.52 mmHg [- 11.89 to - 3.15], p = 0.002, and - 7.82 mmHg [- 14.02 to - 1.67], p = 0.02 respectively). Levodopa was associated with lower absolute values of blood pressure in both PD+OH and PD-OH and cardiovascular noradrenergic baroreflex impairment. CONCLUSION: Levodopa decreases blood pressure in both PD with and without autonomic failure, but it does not cause a greater fall in blood pressure from supine to standing at 3 min. Levodopa-induced baroreflex sympathetic noradrenergic impairment may contribute to lower blood pressure. Lower standing blood pressure with levodopa may increase the risks of fall and syncope.

Orthostatic hypotension in stroke/TIA patients: Association with new events and the effect of the NAILED intervention.

BACKGROUND: Fear of orthostatic hypotension (OH) and a reported association with an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) events may limit antihypertensive treatment after stroke/TIA. In the NAILED trial, systematic titration of antihypertensive treatment resulted in lower blood pressure (BP) and reduced the incidence of stroke. Our aim was to assess the association between OH and CV events or death in a stroke/TIA population and the association between group allocation in the NAILED trial and risk of OH during follow-up. METHODS AND FINDINGS: This post-hoc analysis included all patients with complete BP measurement at baseline in the NAILED trial (n = 814). OH was defined as a drop in systolic BP ≥20 or diastolic BP ≥10 mmHg 1 minute after standing from a seated position. The association between OH and a composite of stroke, myocardial infarction, or death was assessed using an adjusted Cox regression model with OH as a time-varying variable. The association between group allocation (intervention vs. control) and OH was assessed using logistic regression. During a mean follow-up of 4.8 years, 35.3% of patients had OH at some point. OH was not significantly associated with the composite outcome (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.80-1.54). Allocation to the intervention group in the NAILED trial was not associated with OH during follow-up (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.62-1.13). CONCLUSIONS: OH was not associated with an increased risk of CV events or death in this stroke/TIA population. Systematic titration of antihypertensive treatment did not increase the prevalence of OH compared to usual care. Thus, OH did not reduce the gains of antihypertensive treatment.

A therapeutic challenge relating to the association of orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension in a patient with cardiac autonomic neuropathy: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is a highly prevalent pathology in the diabetic population, and is the leading cause of death in this population. Orthostatic hypotension is the main clinical manifestation of the disease. In some patients, this orthostatic hypotension is associated with supine hypertension, posing a therapeutic challenge since treatment of one entity may aggravate the other. The challenge is to manage each of these two hemodynamic opposites without exposing the patient to a life-threatening risk of severe hypotension or hypertension. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 62-year-old ethnic Moroccan woman who has cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes, arterial hypertension, and dyslipidemia. The patient's symptoms included dizziness, tremors, morning sickness, palpitations, and intolerance to exertion. Given her symptomatology, the patient benefited from an exploration of the autonomic nervous system through cardiovascular reactivity tests (Ewing tests), which confirmed the diagnosis of cardiac autonomic neuropathy. In addition to orthostatic hypotension, our patient had supine arterial hypertension, complicating management. To treat orthostatic hypotension, we advised the patient to avoid the supine position during the day, to raise the head of the bed during the night, and to have a sufficient fluid intake, with a gradual transition from decubitus to orthostatism and venous restraint of the lower limbs. Supine hypertension was treated with transdermal nitrates placed at bedtime and removed 1 hour before getting up. One week after the introduction of treatment, the patient reported a clear regression of functional symptoms, with an improvement in her quality of life. Improvement in symptomatology was maintained during quarterly follow-up consultations. CONCLUSIONS: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy is a very common pathology in diabetic patients. It is a serious condition with a life-threatening prognosis. Its management must be individualized according to the symptomatology and profile of each patient. The treatment of patients with orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension requires special attention to ensure that each entity is treated without aggravating the other.

Posición semisentada en cirugía del ángulo pontocerebeloso: análisis de sus complicaciones y cómo evitarlas / Semisitting position for cerebello-pontine angle surgery: Analysis of complications and how to avoid it

Objetivo: Analizar las complicaciones asociadas a la posición semisentada en pacientes intervenidos de patología del ángulo pontocerebeloso (APC).MétodosEstudio retrospectivo, se analizaron los pacientes operados de patología tumoral del APC por un abordaje retrosigmoideo en posición semisentada. Se analizó la incidencia, gravedad, momento de aparición, forma de resolución, duración y repercusiones del embolismo aéreo venoso (EAV), neumoencéfalo, hipotensión postural y otras complicaciones. Se analizó el tiempo de estancia en unidad de críticos (TUCRI), tiempo de estancia hospitalaria (TEH) y puntuación en escala de Rankin a los seis meses.ResultadosSe intervinieron 50 pacientes, once (22%) presentaron EAV (8 ± 4,5 minutos duración media): cinco (10%) durante la resección tumoral, cuatro (8%) durante la apertura dural. Diez (20%) se resolvieron tapando el lecho quirúrgico, aspirando burbujas y aplicando compresión de yugulares, uno (2%) requirió cambio de posición. Uno (2%) tuvo repercusión hemodinámica intraoperatoria. La única variable asociada con desarrollar EAV fue una anatomía patológica de meningioma OR = 4,58, p = 0,001. El TUCRI fue superior en pacientes con EAV (5,5 ± 1,06 vs. 1,9 ± 0,20 días, p = 0,01). No hubo diferencias en la escala Rankin. Todos presentaron neumoencéfalo posquirúrgico con buen nivel de consciencia, salvo uno (2%) que requirió de evacuación. Siete pacientes (14%) presentaron una hipotensión arterial, tres (6%) tras la colocación y uno (2%) tras un EAV, todos revertieron con vasoactivos. No se registraron otras complicaciones asociadas a la posición ni mortalidad en esta serie. (AU)

Objective: To analyze the primary complications related to semisitting position in patients undergoing cerebelo-pontine angle surgery.MethodsRetrospective data analysis from patients undergoing elective tumoral cerebelo-pontine angle surgery in a semisitting position. The incidence, severity, occurrence moment, treatment, duration, and outcomes of venous air embolism (VAE), pneumocephalus, postural hypotension, and other complications were recorded. Neurointensive care unit (NICU), length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and modified Rankin scale scores were calculated six months after surgery.ResultsFifty patients were operated on. Eleven (22%) presented VAE (mean duration 8 ± 4.5 min): five (10%) during tumor resection, and four (8%) during dural opening. Ten (20%) were resolved by covering the surgical bed, air bubbles aspiration, jugular compression, and one (2%) tilted to a steep Trendelenburg position. One (2%) had intraoperative hemodynamic instability. The only variable associated with VAE was meningioma at histopathology OR = 4.58, P = 0.001. NICU was higher in patients with VAE (5.5 ± 1.06 vs. 1.9 ± 0.20 days, P = 0.01). There were no differences in the Rankin scale. All patients presented postoperative pneumocephalus with a good level of consciousness, except one (2%) who required evacuation. Seven patients (14%) showed postural hypotension, three (6%) after positioning, and one (2%) after developing a VAE; all were reversed with usual vasoactive drugs. No other position-related complications or mortality were registered in this series. (AU)

Long-term antipsychotic use, orthostatic hypotension and falls in older adults with Alzheimer's disease.

PURPOSE: Antipsychotic use in Alzheimer disease (AD) is associated with adverse events and mortality. Whilst postulated to cause/exacerbate orthostatic hypotension (OH), the exact relationship between antipsychotic use and OH has never been explored in AD-a group who are particularly vulnerable to neuro-cardiovascular instability and adverse effects of medication on orthostatic blood pressure (BP) behaviour. METHODS: We analysed longitudinal data from an 18-month trial of Nilvadipine in mild-moderate AD. We assessed the effect of long-term antipsychotic use (for the entire 18-month study duration) on orthostatic BP phenotypes measured on eight occasions, in addition to the relationship between antipsychotic use, BP phenotypes and incident falls. RESULTS: Of 509 older adults with AD (aged 72.9 ± 8.3 years, 61.9% female), 10.6% (n = 54) were prescribed a long-term antipsychotic. Over 18 months, long-term antipsychotic use was associated with a greater likelihood of experiencing sit-to-stand OH (ssOH) (OR: 1.21; 1.05-1.38, p = 0.009) which persisted on covariate adjustment. Following adjustment for important clinical confounders, both antipsychotic use (IRR: 1.80, 1.11-2.92, p = 0.018) and ssOH (IRR: 1.44, 1.00-2.06, p = 0.048) were associated with a greater risk of falls/syncope over 18 months in older adults with mild-moderate AD. CONCLUSION: Even in mild-to-moderate AD, long-term antipsychotic use was associated with ssOH. Both antipsychotic use and ssOH were associated with a greater risk of incident falls/syncope over 18 months. Further attention to optimal prescribing interventions in this cohort is warranted and may involve screening older adults with AD prescribed antipsychotics for both orthostatic symptoms and falls.

Associations of Orthostatic Hypotension and Frailty With Dementia and Mortality in Older Adults: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the associations of orthostatic hypotension (OH), in the presence or absence of frailty, with dementia and mortality in older adults. METHODS: We conducted a 15-year population-based cohort study including 2 703 baseline dementia-free individuals from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. At baseline, OH was defined as a decline in systolic/diastolic blood pressure ≥20/10 mm Hg 1 minute after standing up from a supine position. Frailty status was defined following Fried's frailty phenotype. Dementia was diagnosed following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition criteria. Multistate flexible parametric survival models were used to estimate associations of OH and frailty with dementia and mortality. RESULTS: Robust people with OH (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] = 2.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.47-3.54) and frail people without OH (HR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.40-2.82) or with OH (HR = 2.73; 95% CI = 1.82-4.10) had a higher dementia risk than OH-free and robust people. Moreover, frail people, independently of the presence of OH, had higher mortality rate than OH-free and robust people. In individuals who developed dementia during the follow-up period, neither OH nor frailty was significantly associated with mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults with OH, whether robust or frail, may have a higher dementia risk than those without OH. Older adults with OH, when having frailty, may have a higher mortality rate than those without OH. The concurrent assessments of OH and frailty may provide prognostic values in terms of dementia and mortality risk in older adults.

Semisitting position for cerebello-pontine angle surgery: Analysis of complications and how to avoid it.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the primary complications related to semisitting position in patients undergoing cerebelo-pontine angle surgery. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis from patients undergoing elective tumoral cerebelo-pontine angle surgery in a semisitting position. The incidence, severity, occurrence moment, treatment, duration, and outcomes of venous air embolism (VAE), pneumocephalus, postural hypotension, and other complications were recorded. Neurointensive care unit (NICU), length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and modified Rankin scale scores were calculated six months after surgery. RESULTS: Fifty patients were operated on. Eleven (22%) presented VAE (mean duration 8±4.5min): five (10%) during tumor resection, and four (8%) during dural opening. Ten (20%) were resolved by covering the surgical bed, air bubbles aspiration, jugular compression, and one (2%) tilted to a steep Trendelenburg position. One (2%) had intraoperative hemodynamic instability. The only variable associated with VAE was meningioma at histopathology OR=4.58, p=0.001. NICU was higher in patients with VAE (5.5±1.06 vs. 1.9±0.20 days, p=0.01). There were no differences in the Rankin scale. All patients presented postoperative pneumocephalus with a good level of consciousness, except one (2%) who required evacuation. Seven patients (14%) showed postural hypotension, three (6%) after positioning, and one (2%) after developing a VAE; all were reversed with usual vasoactive drugs. No other position-related complications or mortality were registered in this series. CONCLUSIONS: The semisitting position is a safe option with the knowledge, prevention, detection, and early solution of all the possible complications. The development of VAE rarely implies hemodynamic instability or greater disability after surgery. Postoperative pneumocephalus is very common and rarely requires evacuation. Excellent cooperation between anesthesia, nursing, neurophysiology, and neurosurgery teams is essential to manage complications.

Drug-induced orthostatic hypotension: Cluster analysis of co-prescription patterns in older people in UK primary care.

PURPOSE: Over 250 medications are reported to cause orthostatic hypotension, associated with serious adverse outcomes in older adults. Studies suggest a harmful cumulative risk of orthostatic hypotension with multiple medication use. However, there is limited evidence on the potential for harm in practice, particularly which drugs is co-prescribed and may increase risk of orthostatic hypotension. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study and cluster analysis using general practice data from IQVIA Medical Research Data (IMRD) in patients aged ≥50 contributing data between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2018. Thirteen drug groups known to be associated with orthostatic hypotension by mechanism, were analyzed and clusters generated by sex and age-band. RESULTS: A total of 602 713 individuals aged ≥50 with 283 912 (47%) men and 318 801 (53%) women were included. The most prevalent prescriptions that might contribute to orthostatic hypotension were ACE inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, beta-blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and uroselective alpha-blockers. We identified distinct clusters of cardiovascular system (cardiovascular system) drugs in men and women at all ages. cardiovascular system plus psychoactive drug clusters were common in women at all ages, and in men aged ≤70. cardiovascular system plus uroselective alpha-blockers were identified in men aged ≥70. CONCLUSIONS: Distinct clusters of drugs associated with orthostatic hypotension exist in practice, which change over the life course. Our findings highlight potentially harmful drug combinations that may cause cumulative risk of orthostatic hypotension in older people. This may guide clinicians about the potential of synergistic harm and to monitor for orthostatic hypotension if using combinations of cardiovascular system drugs, cardiovascular system plus psychoactive drugs and/or alpha-blockers-particularly in patients aged ≥70 or at high-risk due to comorbidity. Future research should consider quantifying the risk of drug-induced orthostatic hypotension with such drug combinations.

Tilt table testing, methodology and practical insights for the clinic.

Tilt table testing (TTT) has been used for decades to study short-term blood pressure (BP) and heart rate regulation during orthostatic challenges. TTT provokes vasovagal reflex in many syncope patients as a background of widespread use. Despite the availability of evidence-based practice syncope guidelines, proper application and interpretation of TTT in the day-to-day care of syncope patients remain challenging. In this review, we offer practical information on what is needed to perform TTT, how results should be interpreted including the Vasovagal Syncope International Study classification, why syncope induction on TTT is necessary in patients with unexplained syncope and on indications for TTT in syncope patient care. The minimum requirements to perform TTT are a tilt table with an appropriate tilt-down time, a continuous beat-to-beat BP monitor with at least three electrocardiogram leads and trained staff. We emphasize that TTT remains a valuable asset that adds to history building but cannot replace it, and highlight the importance of recognition when TTT is abnormal even without syncope. Acknowledgement by the patient/eyewitness of the reproducibility of the induced attack is mandatory in concluding a diagnosis. TTT may be indicated when the initial syncope evaluation does not yield a certain, highly likely, or possible diagnosis, but raises clinical suspicion of (1) reflex syncope, (2) orthostatic hypotension (OH), (3) postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome or (4) psychogenic pseudosyncope. A therapeutic indication for TTT in the patient with a certain, highly likely or possible diagnosis of reflex syncope, may be to educate patients on prodromes. In patients with reflex syncope with OH TTT can be therapeutic to recognize hypotensive symptoms causing near-syncope to perform physical countermanoeuvres for syncope prevention (biofeedback). Detection of hypotensive susceptibility requiring therapy is of special value.

Orthostatic Blood Pressure Change, Dizziness, and Risk of Dementia in the ARIC Study.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal orthostatic blood pressure (BP) regulation may result in cerebral hypoperfusion and brain ischemia and contribute to dementia. It may also manifest as early symptoms of the neurodegenerative process associated with dementia. The relationship between the magnitude and timing of orthostatic BP responses and dementia risk is not fully understood. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort analysis of the associations of orthostatic BP changes and self-reported orthostatic dizziness with the risk of dementia in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study (ARIC). We calculated changes in BP from the supine to the standing position at 5 measurements taken within 2 minutes after standing during the baseline visit (1987-1989). The primary outcome was adjudicated dementia ascertained through 2019. RESULTS: Among 11 644 participants (mean [SD] age, 54.5 [5.7] years; 54.1% women; 25.9% Black), 2303 dementia cases were identified during a median follow-up of 25.9 years. Large decreases in systolic BP from the supine to standing position measured at the first 2 measurements ≈30 and 50 seconds after standing, but not afterward, were associated with orthostatic dizziness and a higher risk of dementia. Comparing a decrease in systolic BP of ≤-20 or >-20 to -10 mm Hg to stable systolic BP (>-10 to 10 mm Hg) at the first measurement, the adjusted hazard ratios were 1.22 (95% CI, 1.01-1.47) and 1.10 (95% CI, 0.97-1.25), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal orthostatic BP regulation, especially abrupt drops in BP within the first minute, might be early risk markers for the development of dementia. Transient early orthostatic hypotension warrants more attention in clinical settings.

Association between falls and nonmotor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder. Falls are common in patients with PD and can lead to disability, bedridden status, and death. The mechanisms of falls induced by symptoms of PD have not been fully clarified. We investigated the association between falls and nonmotor symptoms in PD patients. METHODS: A total of 361 patients with Parkinson's disease were included. Whether the patients had fallen in the past half a year was recorded. Nonmotor symptoms were assessed by 30 items from the nonmotor symptom questionnaire (NMS Quest), Parkinson's Disease Sleep Scale (PDSS), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MOCA). RESULTS: A total of 63 patients experienced falls in the past six months, with an incidence of 17.5%. The patients with falls were elderly, had severe motor symptoms and disease severity, and the proportion of diabetic patients who experienced falls was higher. Adjusted for the above factors, the results showed that patients with falls had higher PD-NMS, HAMD and HAMA scores, but there was no significant difference in the total score and subscores of the MoCA scale between the two groups. The risk factors related to falling included age, history of diabetes, depression (HAMD), HAMD cognitive impairment, NMS urinary tract and NMS postural hypotension. CONCLUSIONS: Falls were a common symptom in patients with PD and were not only related to motor symptoms but also closely related to nonmotor symptoms. urinary tract symptoms, postural hypotension, depression and HAMD cognitive impairment were risk factors related to falling in patients with PD.

Orthostatic variation of pulmonary artery pressure in ambulatory heart failure patients.

AIM: To study effect of change in position (supine and standing) on pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in ambulatory heart failure (HF) patients. METHODS: Seventeen patients with CardioMEMS® sensor and stable heart failure were consented and included in this single center study. Supine and standing measurements were obtained with at least 5 min interval between the two positions. These measurements included PAP readings utilizing the manufacturer handheld interrogator obtaining 10 s data in addition to the systemic blood pressure and heart rate recordings. RESULTS: Mean supine and standing readings and their difference (Δ) were as follows respectively: Systolic PAP were 33.4 (± 11.19), 23.6 (± 10) and Δ was 9.9 mmHg (p = 0.0001), diastolic PAP were 14.2 (± 5.6), 7.9 (± 5.7) and Δ was 6.3 mmHg (p = 0.0001) and mean PAP were 21.8 (± 7.8), 14 (± 7.2) and Δ was 7.4 mmHg (p = 0.0001) while the systemic blood pressure did not vary significantly. CONCLUSION: There is orthostatic variation of PAP in ambulatory HF patients demonstrating a mean decline with standing in diastolic PAP by 6.3 mmHg, systolic PAP by 9.9 mmHg and mean PAP by 7.4 mmHg in absence of significant orthostatic variation in systemic blood pressure or heart rate. These findings have significant clinical implications and inform that PAP in each patient should always be measured in the same position. Since initial readings at the time of implant were taken in supine position, it may be best to use supine position or to obtain a baseline standing PAP reading if standing PAP is planned on being used.

Orthostatic Hypotension, Hypertension Treatment, and Cardiovascular Disease: An Individual Participant Meta-Analysis.

Importance: There are ongoing concerns about the benefits of intensive vs standard blood pressure (BP) treatment among adults with orthostatic hypotension or standing hypotension. Objective: To determine the effect of a lower BP treatment goal or active therapy vs a standard BP treatment goal or placebo on cardiovascular disease (CVD) or all-cause mortality in strata of baseline orthostatic hypotension or baseline standing hypotension. Data Sources: Individual participant data meta-analysis based on a systematic review of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases through May 13, 2022. Study Selection: Randomized trials of BP pharmacologic treatment (more intensive BP goal or active agent) with orthostatic hypotension assessments. Data Extraction and Synthesis: Individual participant data meta-analysis extracted following PRISMA guidelines. Effects were determined using Cox proportional hazard models using a single-stage approach. Main Outcomes and Measures: Main outcomes were CVD or all-cause mortality. Orthostatic hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic BP of at least 20 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP of at least 10 mm Hg after changing position from sitting to standing. Standing hypotension was defined as a standing systolic BP of 110 mm Hg or less or standing diastolic BP of 60 mm Hg or less. Results: The 9 trials included 29 235 participants followed up for a median of 4 years (mean age, 69.0 [SD, 10.9] years; 48% women). There were 9% with orthostatic hypotension and 5% with standing hypotension at baseline. More intensive BP treatment or active therapy lowered risk of CVD or all-cause mortality among those without baseline orthostatic hypotension (hazard ratio [HR], 0.81; 95% CI, 0.76-0.86) similarly to those with baseline orthostatic hypotension (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.70-1.00; P = .68 for interaction of treatment with baseline orthostatic hypotension). More intensive BP treatment or active therapy lowered risk of CVD or all-cause mortality among those without baseline standing hypotension (HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.75-0.85), and nonsignificantly among those with baseline standing hypotension (HR, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.75-1.18). Effects did not differ by baseline standing hypotension (P = .16 for interaction of treatment with baseline standing hypotension). Conclusions and Relevance: In this population of hypertension trial participants, intensive therapy reduced risk of CVD or all-cause mortality regardless of orthostatic hypotension without evidence for different effects among those with standing hypotension.

Orthostatic hypotension and orthostatic hypertension are both associated with lower cognitive function: The S.AGES cohort.

BACKGROUND: Blood pressure (BP) postural changes, both orthostatic hypotension (OHYPO) and orthostatic hypertension (OHYPER) are common in older adults. Few studies have investigated their association with cognition, particularly for OHYPER, an emerging cardiovascular risk factor. We aimed to assess the association between OHYPO, OHYPER and cognition in non-institutionalized older subjects. METHODS: The S.AGES (Sujets ÂGES, Aged Subjects) cohort followed every 6 months for 3 years non-institutionalized subjects aged ≥65 years without dementia at inclusion, in France. OHYPO and OHYPER were respectively defined as a fall or an increase of ≥20 mmHg in systolic BP and/or ≥10 mmHg in diastolic BP after standing from a sitting position. Cognition was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Linear mixed models were used for the analyses. RESULTS: Among the 3170 subjects included (mean age 78 years, 56% women), 209 (6.5%) had OHYPO and 226 (7.1%) had OHYPER at baseline. After adjustment for demographics, cardiovascular risk factors and disease, seated SBP/DBP and BP lowering treatment, mean MMSE was 0.52 point lower in participants with OHYPER compared to those with normal BP postural changes (ß adjusted [95% CI] = -0.52 [-0.96; -0.09], p = 0.02) and 0.50 point lower in participants with OHYPO compared to those with normal BP postural changes (ß adjusted [95% CI] = -0.50 [-0.95; -0.06], p = 0.03). Sensitivity analyses showed a dose-response relationship between OHYPO and cognition. CONCLUSION: Although the absolute differences in MMSE were small, both OHYPO and OHYPER were associated with lower cognition. Orthostatic BP measurements could help identify patients with risk of cognitive impairment. Further studies are needed to assess whether controlling orthostatic BP could be a promising interventional target in preserving cognition among older adults.