Hypercapnia and Orthostatic Tolerance in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
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Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
Source: NCT04271878, who can take part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Contact the study team: see the registry record → Contacts and Locations
Print a page for my doctorTrial details
- Who runs it
- University of Calgary
- Trial code
- NCT04271878
- Record updated
- 7 May 2026
- Original description
The mechanism behind postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) involves many causes including a sympathetic nervous system problem. Blood gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), have an important effect on sympathetic activation.Read full original descriptionShow less
The mechanism behind postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) involves many causes including a sympathetic nervous system problem. Blood gases, like carbon dioxide (CO2), have an important effect on sympathetic activation.
The purpose of this research study is to determine if higher CO2 levels have any effect in lowering heart rate and reducing POTS symptoms when upright/standing. The investigators are also searching for the ideal CO2 concentration to achieve the most effective response
Inclusion: Physician diagnosis of Postural Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS); Age 18-60 years; Male and Female; Non - smokers; Able and willing to provide informed consent; Ability to travel to Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta Autonomic Testing Lab at the University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.
Exclusion: Other factors which in the investigator's opinion would prevent the participant from completing the protocol, including poor compliance during previous studies; Subjects with chronic heart failure or severe pulmonary disease who are unable to climb one flight of stairs due to shortness of breath; Overt cause for postural tachycardia, i.e., acute dehydration; Participants with somatization or severe anxiety symptoms will be excluded; Pregnant; Inability to tolerate mask for the duration of the study; Subjects who require portable oxygen at rest or with exercise.