Author/Editor		Kavčič, Niko; Beharić, Amer
Title		Vpliv anksiolitika na kvaliteto življenja in na kardiovaskularno avtonomno funkcijo pri bolniku s posturalno ortostatsko tahikardijo
Type		monografija
Place		Ljubljana
Publisher		Medicinska fakulteta
Publication year		2003
Volume		str. 56
Language		slo
Abstract		BACKGROUND. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a disorder of the autonomic nervous system. The pathology is characterized by adrenergic and cardiovagal nerve fibre dysfunction, combined with central abnormality in autonomic regulation. When assuming the upright posture or performing the tilt table testing the patients develop excessive tachycardia and symptoms like dizziness, syncope, palpitations, anxiety. These symptoms are often present in the absence of any decrease in arterial pressure. Patients with POTS experience limitations in multiple domains of quality of life. AIM. A variety of approaches have been used to alleviate symptoms in POTS, including anxiolytic therapy. Among central mechanisms, stress, anxiety, and hyperventilation are factors that can trigger tachycardia with orthostatic intolerance. Thus the prescription of anxiolytics might also have a pathophysiologic fundament. The aim of the present work was to investigate the efficacy of anxiolytic therapy in patients with POTS. HYPOTHESIS. Anxiolytic therapy improves quality of life, decreases symptoms of orthostatic intolerance and normalizes autonomic abnormalities. METHODS. We implemented the research as a prospective study on human subjects. Patients were selected from the archive of the neurocardiologic laboratory on the basis of orthostatic tachycardia and orthostatic intolerance development upon tilt testing. Patients completed a questionnaire packet that included measures of quality of life (SF-36) and autonomic symptom severity (ASP). To evaluate autonomic nervous system function we monitored blood pressure and the ECG during rest, deep breathing, Valsalva maneuver, cold face test and tilt table testing. After alprazolam therapy for four to five weeks eleven patients were surveyed and tested again. Data obtained before and after treatment were analysed statistically with non-parametric Wilcoxon paired test. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters).
Descriptors		TACHYCARDIA AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM TILT-TABLE TEST VALSALVA'S MANEUVER ALPRAZOLAM BLOOD PRESSURE HEART RATE QUALITY OF LIFE QUESTIONNAIRES STATISTICS, NONPARAMETRIC