Autonomic dysfunction post–acute COVID-19 infection

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 infection, which causes the disease COVID-19, is most known for its severe respiratory complications. However, a variety of extrapulmonary effects have since been described, with cardiovascular complications being among the most common.1 Those who recover from the acute phase of COVID-19 may be left with residual symptoms such as chest pain and dyspnea, resulting in a decreased quality of life and a syndrome sometimes described as “long COVID.”2 Recent evidence suggests that survivors with some of these chronic symptoms may have autonomic dysfunction (AD) with features of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and/or inappropriate sinus tachycardia (IST).