Acute hemodynamic effects of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor in postural tachycardia syndrome: a randomized, crossover trial.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often prescribed in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and act at synaptic terminals to increase monoamine neurotransmitters. We hypothesized that they act to increase blood pressure and attenuate reflex tachycardia, thereby improving symptoms. Acute hemodynamic profiles after SSRI administration in POTS patients have not previously been reported.

METHODS:

Patients with POTS (n=39; F=37, 39 ±9 years) underwent a randomized crossover trial with sertraline 50mg and placebo. Heart rate, systolic, diastolic, and mean blood pressure were measured with the patient seated and standing for 10 min prior to drug or placebo administration, and then hourly for 4 h. The primary endpoint was standing heart rate at 4 h.

RESULTS:

At 4 h, standing heart rate and systolic blood pressure were not significantly different between sertraline and placebo. Seated systolic (106±12 mmHg vs. 101±8 mmHg; p=0.041), diastolic (72±8 mmHg vs. 69±8 mmHg; p=0.022), and mean blood pressure (86±9 mmHg vs. 81±9 mmHg; p=0.007) were significantly higher after sertraline administration than placebo. At 4 h, symptoms were worse with sertraline than placebo.

CONCLUSIONS:

Sertraline had a modest pressor effect in POTS patients, but this did not translate into a reduced heart rate or improved symptoms.

• Authors: Philip L Mar, Vidya Raj, Bonnie K Black, Italo Biaggioni, Cyndya A Shibao, Sachin Y Paranjape, William D Dupont, David Robertson, Satish R Raj
• Journal: Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) (J Psychopharmacol) Vol. 28 Issue 2 Pg. 155-61 (Feb 2014) ISSN: 1461-7285 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24227635 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
• Serotonin Uptake Inhibitors
• Sertraline

Topics

• Adult
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Female
• Heart Rate (drug effects)
• Hemodynamics (drug effects)
• Humans
• Male
• Norepinephrine Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (therapeutic use)
• Sertraline (pharmacology, therapeutic use)