Comparative Cohort Study of Post-acute COVID-19 Infection With a Nested, Randomized Controlled Trial of Ivabradine for Those With Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome.
The purpose of the study is three-fold. The primary aim is to identify the proportion of Long-Haul COVID (LHC) and non-LHC volunteers with relevant symptoms actually have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The second is to determine benefit of ivabradine treatment. Ivabradine is a drug approved to treat tachycardia in persons with heart failure. The third is to characterize risk factors and outcomes among volunteers with and without LHC. This will include comparison with COVID-19-positive individuals who did not develop long-COVID symptoms. The study will improve basic and applied knowledge of LHC and its associated cardiovascular and autonomic consequences. Cellular and molecular characterization of LHC and non-LHC participants will be performed with a nested clinical trial for Ivabradine responsiveness on reduction of tachycardia. It is hoped that a greater understanding of LHC, and related autonomic dysfunction in particular will help to identify treatment paradigms and therapeutic targets for improving recovery and enhancing health for those affected.
• Age 18-80
• History of documented COVID-19 infection of any severity to include a positive COVID-19 PCR, or antibody test
• Meets criteria for 'long-haul' COVID-19 with symptoms \>12 weeks following acute illness
• Able and willing to provide informed consent and participate for study duration
• Willing to participate in the nested randomized controlled trial of ivabradine if RCT enrollment criteria are met
• Access to a primary healthcare provider and proof of health insurance
• Age 18-80
• History of documented COVID-19 infection of any severity to include a positive COVID-19 PCR, or antibody test
• Does not meet criteria for 'long-haul' COVID-19
• Able and willing to provide informed consent and participate for study duration
• Willing to participate in the nested randomized controlled trial of ivabradine if RCT enrollment criteria are met
• Access to a primary healthcare provider and proof of health insurance
• Age 18-80; Meets criteria for 'long-haul' COVID-19
‣ Documented history of COVID-19 infection made available to study team 1914
⁃ Lack of documented history, but evidence of infection from sensitive antibody tests
• Able and willing to provide informed consent and participate for study duration
• Volunteers with or without LHC combined with POTS based on an increase in comparing the supine heart rate to standing heart rate \>20 beats per minute with a drop in systolic blood pressure less than 20 mm Hg or a drop in diastolic blood pressure less than 10 mm Hg will be included, OR additionally, volunteers with or without LHC and a 24-hour mean heart rate of 90 beats per minute or more (in sinus rhythm) will be diagnosed with IST and be included.
• For females of childbearing age - willing to use a highly effective form of contraceptive with \<1% failure rate or practice abstinence for the duration of the study