Cardiovascular Autonomic and Immune Mechanism of Post COVID-19 Tachycardia Syndrome
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
The term post-acute COVID-19 syndrome or Long COVID is a disabling syndrome that persists beyond the 3-month convalescence period after COVID-19 infections.
This syndrome affects mostly women (~80%), present with chronic tachycardia and Orthostatic intolerance symptoms without any identifiable cause. In addition, non-specific symptoms such as fatigue, headache, and "brain fog", commonly described in POTS patients are also present in this novel condition, recently named post-COVID-19 tachycardia syndrome, POTS variant.
Reduced Vagal activity and unresolved inflammation is post-COVID-19 POTS is hypothesized as the cause of Long COVID
| Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
|---|---|---|
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N/A |
Detailed Description
Post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 infection or Long COVID is a growing concern, even in patients with mild initial illness. These patients develop numerous chronic debilitating symptoms including fatigue, chest pain, reduced exercise tolerance and tachycardia, with symptoms persisting weeks beyond the initial infection.
Preliminary data shows that post-COVID-19 POTS patients have reduced parasympathetic (PNS) function. Given that the PNS protects against inflammation, it is hypothesize that post-COVID-19 POTS is caused by reduced PNS activity, which in turn, contributes to persistent inflammation, orthostatic intolerance and OI symptoms
Aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that reduced PNS activity is associated with persistent inflammation in patients with post-COVID-19 POTS.
Primary Outcome Measures:
To evaluate immune cell activation in post-COVID-19 POTS and patients with history of COVID-19 infection without sequelae and correlate this with the degree of decreased PNS activity. The primary endpoint is IL-6 levels.
Rationale:
Elevated levels of IL-6, CRP and D-dimer are found in Long COVID patients, which resembles post-COVID tachycardia syndrome in POTS patients. Notably, stimulation of the efferent Vagus nerve has been shown to reduce cytokine production and systemic inflammation in response to endotoxin. Hence, decreased PNS function, as reported with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and in post-COVID-19 POTS patients, may render these patients prone to persistent inflammation. The study aims to determine the link between PNS activity and immune activation in post-COVID-19 POTS.
Study population: Total of 60 participants, 30 post-COVID-19 POTS patients and 30 controls with history of COVID-19 infection without sequelae.
Study Visits: 3 visits, 2 in person and 1 telemedicine, Study procedures include EKG, urine and blood sample collection, Orthostatic Standing Test, Measurement of blood volume using carbon monoxide rebreathing technique, Tilt table test.
Participants will be asked to complete an autonomic symptoms assessment questionnaire (COMPASS-31),32 quality of life EQ-5D and neuropsychological tests.
Data and Safety Monitoring Plan: The Data and Safety Monitoring Officer (DSMO) will provide objective review of treatment results as they relate to human safety and data quality. Dr. Cheryl Laffer, Professor of Medicine, Division of Clinical Pharmacology will serve as DSMO. The DSMO will review the initial protocol and will receive reports of the progress of the study every 12 months. These reports will provide information regarding recruiting, safety reporting, data quality, and efficacy.
Statistical Considerations:
Biostatistical Section Power analysis: The primary endpoint is serum IL-6. The proposed sample size of 60 (30 pairs of patients and controls) provides 90% power to detect an effect size of 0.62 for the mean difference in IL-6 between post-COVID-19 POTS (cases) and controls (COVID-19 infected w/o sequelae), with the two-sided type I error = 5%. This calculation is based on the preliminary data of mean difference of IL-6 ≈ 1.82 and the SD ≈ 2.94 in POTS.6 The effect size is defined as the ratio of mean IL-6 difference between cases and controls to standard deviation.
Data analysis plan: Demographic information will be tabulated. Descriptive statistics, including means, standard deviations, and ranges for continuous parameters, as well as percent and frequencies for categorical parameters, will be presented. T-test or Mann-Whitney (as appropriate) will be applied to examine the mean differences between cases and controls with respect to the outcomes. The conditional logistic regression model will be applied for the multivariable data analysis. The adjusted p-values and the adjusted 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be reported.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
| Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
|---|---|
| Other: PNS Activity Measurement in relation to the Inflammation in post- COVID 19 POTS PNS activity Measurement Biochemical endpoints: Blood sample for Inflammatory markers. Autonomic symptoms assessment questionnaire (COMPASS-31),32 quality of life EQ-5D and neuropsychological tests |
Diagnostic Test: Determine the inflammatory and immune profile of post-COVID-19 POTS patients
Blood samples: For peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolation, cytokines, CITE-Seq studies, plasma catecholamines and acetylcholine.
Diagnostic Test: Measurement of PNS activity by HRV (Heart rate Variation)
Hemodynamic data will be processed in PV-Wave language (PV-wave, Visual Numerics Inc. Houston, TX). Detected beat-to-beat values of R-R intervals (RRI) and BP will be interpolated using a low-pass filtered (cutoff 2 Hz). Data segments will be used 180 seconds for spectral analysis. Linear trends will be removed, and power spectral density will be estimated with the FFT-based Welch algorithm. The total power (TP) and the power in the low (LF: 0.04 to <0.15 Hz), and high (HF: 0.15 to < 0.40 Hz) frequency ranges will be calculated to estimate PNS modulation of heart rate (HF-RRI) and sympathetic modulation of blood pressure (LF-SBP).
Diagnostic Test: Autonomic Symptoms assessment
An autonomic symptoms assessment questionnaire (COMPASS-31),32 quality of life EQ-5D and neuropsychological tests
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Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- IL-6 levels [Baseline to upto 180 mins]
Evaluate immune cell activation in post-COVID-19 POTS and patients with history of COVID-19 infection without sequelae and correlate this with the degree of decreased PNS activity. The primary endpoint is IL-6 levels
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Orthostatic Symptoms Score [Baseline to upto 180 mins]
Standardized Orthostatic Symptoms Score COMPASS-31: Composite Autonomic Symptom Score EQ-5D: as a Quality of Life Measure in People with Dementia AD8 Dementia Scale: The AD8 was developed as a brief instrument to help discriminate between signs of normal aging and mild dementia. E-cog test: Everyday Cognition scales (ECog) , an informant-rated questionnaire designed to detect cognitive and functional decline.
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
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Prior RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection.
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Post-COVID-19 POTS will be defined as the presence of orthostatic tachycardia (>30 bpm) and chronic (>3 months) pre-syncopal symptoms.
Exclusion criteria:
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Heart Disease: Myocardial Infarction, angina, heart failure
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History of stroke, or transient ischemic attack
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Undergone an invasive procedure for CVD (coronary artery bypass graft, angioplasty, valve replacement, pacemaker placement or other vascular surgeries)
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Uncontrolled hypertension defined as persistent blood pressure >140/90.
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Post-menopausal women.
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Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 or Type 2. ,
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Impaired Hepatic function
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Impaired renal function test (eGFR<60 mL/min/1.73m2).
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Ongoing substance abuse.
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Mental conditions rendering a subject unable to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study.
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History of seizures.
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Chronic use of steroids, NSAIDs.
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On biologics such as anti-IL6 (omalizumab) and anti-TNF-alpha drugs
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Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Contacts and Locations
Locations
| Site | City | State | Country | Postal Code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville | Tennessee | United States | 37232 |
Sponsors and Collaborators
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- American Heart Association
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Cyndya Shibao, M.D, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- 220763
- 967054