Postural tachycardia syndrome (preferred in Great Britain and abbreviated “PoTS.”) POTS has not been assigned a specific ICD-10 code; the following are commonly used: I49.8, Other specified cardiac dysrhythmia (POTS is listed as an example) I95.1, Orthostatic hypotension (sometimes occurs with POTS)
The diagnosis of POTS is based on clinical history (>3 months of daily intolerance of upright position) coupled with postural tachycardia (>40 beats per minute increase). Acute and intermittent symptoms do not qualify for the diagnosis.
The genetics of POTS are unknown. However, about 15% of patients with POTS have a first-degree relative with POTS, and POTS is much more common in whites than other races. [ Shaw: 2019] Presumably, there are some genetic origins of these variations.
This is known as orthostatic (upright) tachycardia (fast heart rate). It occurs without any coinciding drop in blood pressure, as that would indicate orthostatic hypotension. Certain medications to treat POTS may cause orthostatic hypotension.
As you may know, ICD-10 currently lists POTS under “I49. 8 – Other specified cardiac arrhythmias.” ICD-10 notes that this code also “applicable to” Brugada syndrome, coronary sinus rhythm disorder, ectopic rhythm disorder, and nodal rhythm disorder.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition that affects blood flow. POTS causes the development of symptoms -- usually lightheadedness, fainting and an uncomfortable, rapid increase in heartbeat -- that come on when standing up from a reclining position and relieved by sitting or lying back down.
However, POTS is not a new illness; it has been known by other names throughout history, such as DaCosta's Syndrome, Soldier's Heart, Mitral Valve Prolapse Syndrome, Neurocirculatory Asthenia, Chronic Orthostatic Intolerance, Orthostatic Tachycardia and Postural Tachycardia Syndrome.
There are two main forms of POTS:Partial dysautonomic - Patients appear to have mild damage to nerves that affect involuntary bodily function (peripheral autonomic neuropathy), such as the heartbeat. ... Hyperadrenergic - a less common type of POTS that appears more gradually and to have a genetic component.
In POTS, the heart rate stays elevated for more than a few seconds upon standing (often 10 minutes or more), symptoms occur frequently, and the condition lasts for more than a few days.
Some sources estimate that as many as 1 million people in the United States have POTS. Some people have symptoms that completely disappear within 2 to 5 years, and others have symptoms that come and go over their lifetime. People with POTS also experience different degrees of symptom severity.
POTS was first described 1940. Low et al from the Mayo clinic did the pioneering work on this condition. Robertson of the Vanderbilt autonomic laboratories stated it was one of the most common conditions in young females.
POTs is defined by a fast pulse on standing, and is not the same as orthostatic hypotension (low blood pressure on standing), or syncope (passing out in any position).
It seems reasonable to offer POTS a new name based on its underlying pathophysiology – “The Grinch Syndrome”, because in this famous children's book by Dr. Seuss, the main character had a heart that was “two sizes too small.”
Dysautonomia is the medical term for when the autonomic nervous system (ANS) does not work as it should. The symptoms vary widely, but they can include fainting, low blood pressure, and breathing problems.
Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) POTS is the most common dysautonomia and is characterized by symptoms in multiple organ systems and an abnormal increase in heart rate (30 bpm in adults, 40 bpm in teens) upon standing.
A pheochromocytoma can mimic POTS (or vice versa) because of the paroxysms of hyperadrenergic symptoms including palpitation, although pheochromocytoma patients are more likely to have these symptoms while supine than POTS patients. Plasma or urinary metanephrines22 can screen for pheochromocytoma.
Causes of PoTS Sometimes it can develop suddenly after a viral illness or traumatic event, or during or after pregnancy. Some of the other known causes are: hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. other underlying conditions – such as diabetes, amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, lupus, Sjögren's syndrome or cancer.
POTS is not life-threatening. It's about dealing with the symptoms that you experience and trying to reduce the frequency of your palpitations, shortness of breath, and stop you from blacking out.
These antibodies may be directed against clotting factors, platelets, and/or the cells that line blood vessel walls and they cause the blood to be too sticky. This results in an increased risk of blood clots in: 1) Arteries–causing most commonly stroke or heart attack.
If your POTS symptoms are severe and you are unable to continue working or do not expect that you will be unable to work for at least the next 12 months, then you may be able to obtain a disability benefit from the SSA. The SSA uses a comprehensive guide called the Blue Book to classify disabilities.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of autonomic dysfunction with orthostatic intolerance that affects up to 1% of adolescents with chronic fatigue, dizziness, and, often, gastrointestinal discomfort or other forms of chronic pain. With treatment, most patients can fully recover and return to normal life activities.
Testing is useful only when needed to confirm postural tachycardia, narrow the differential diagnosis, or evaluate for comorbidities.
Chronic (>3 months) orthostatic intolerance with daily symptoms impairing normal function. Symptoms, such as dizziness, come on when upright and abate when recumbent.
With the patient resting calmly supine for at least a few minutes, measure the resting heart rate and blood pressure and measure them again after the patient stands and remains still for at least 3 minutes. An increase in heart rate of more than 40 beats per minute would be considered excessive. Formal tilt table testing could corroborate the finding.
There are no official practice guidelines, mostly because of a lack of comparative studies of treatment options. However, these review articles focus on the management of POTS in adolescents:
There is no clinically useful classification of POTS – either the patient has it or not. A distinction is that similar symptoms without excessive postural tachycardia count as “orthostatic intolerance” instead of POTS. Orthostatic intolerance is treated similarly to POTS (increased fluid and salt intake, daily aerobic exercise, adequate sleep, cognitive behavioral therapy) but usually does not require medications.
Nausea and gastro-intestinal symptoms are common in POTS. Medication management of delayed gastric emptying and the dysmotility associated with irritable bowel syndrome (functional gastrointestinal disorder) are commonly experienced with POTS.
Surprisingly there is no ICD-10 code for POTS...... it is a well-documented condition after all.
I have see that one used as well. POTS is a diagnosis that I see quite often and different physicians use different dx codes. Thanks for your input.
Postural tachycardia syndrome was coined in 1982 in a description of a patient who had postural tachycardia, but not orthostatic hypotension. Ronald Schondorf and Phillip A. Low of the Mayo Clinic first used the name postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, POTS, in 1993.
The high norepinephrine levels contribute to symptoms of tachycardia. Another subtype, neuropathic POTS , is associated with denervation of sympathetic nerves in the lower limbs. In this subtype, it is thought that impaired constriction of the blood vessels causes blood to pool in the veins of the lower limbs.
In adults the primary manifestation is an increase in heart rate of more than 30 beats per minute within ten minutes of standing up. The resulting heart rate is typically more than 120 beats per minute. For people aged between 12 and 19, the minimum increase for diagnosis is 40 beats per minute. This is known as orthostatic (upright) tachycardia (fast heart rate). It occurs without any coinciding drop in blood pressure, as that would indicate orthostatic hypotension. Certain medications to treat POTS may cause orthostatic hypotension. It is accompanied by other features of orthostatic intolerance —symptoms that develop in an upright position and are relieved by reclining. These orthostatic symptoms include palpitations, light-headedness, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea, weakness or "heaviness" in the lower legs, blurred vision, and cognitive difficulties. Symptoms may be exacerbated with prolonged sitting, prolonged standing, alcohol, heat, exercise, or eating a large meal.
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome ( POTS) is a condition in which a change from lying to standing causes an abnormally large (or higher than normal) increase in heart beat rate. This occurs with symptoms that may include lightheadedness, trouble thinking, blurred vision, or weakness. Other commonly associated conditions include Ehlers–Danlos syndrome, mast cell activation syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, insomnia, chronic headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. It can be treated with lifestyle changes such as increasing fluid and salt intake, compression stockings, rising slowly after lying down, avoiding prolonged bedrest, and medication.
There are some overlaps between POTS and chronic fatigue syndrome, with evidence of POTS in 10–20% of CFS cases. Fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance are prominent symptoms of both conditions, and dysautonomia may underlie both conditions. POTS can sometimes be a paraneoplastic syndrome associated with cancer.
POTS can also co-occur in all types of Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (EDS), a hereditary connective tissue disorder marked by loose hypermobile joints prone to subluxations and dislocations, skin that exhibits moderate or greater laxity, easy bruising, and many other symptoms. A trifecta of POTS, EDS, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is becoming increasingly more common, with a genetic marker common among all three conditions. POTS is also often accompanied by vasovagal syncope, with a 25% overlap being reported. There are some overlaps between POTS and chronic fatigue syndrome, with evidence of POTS in 10–20% of CFS cases. Fatigue and reduced exercise tolerance are prominent symptoms of both conditions, and dysautonomia may underlie both conditions.
People with POTS can be misdiagnosed with inappropriate sinus tachycardia as they present similarly. One distinguishing feature is those with POTS rarely exhibit >100 bpm while in a supine position, while patients with IST often have a resting heart rate >100 bpm. Additionally patients with POTS display a more pronounced change in heart rate in response to postural change.