Abstract | March 11, 2024

Relevance of Red Cell Distribution Width in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or Postural Symptoms Without Tachycardia Patients: A Comparative Analysis

Smriti Awasthi, BS, Extern, Cardiology, The Heartbeat Clinic, Mckinney, TX

Jawad Shahid, MBBS, Extern, Cardiology, The Heartbeat Clinic, Mckinney, TX; Kazma Kulsoon, MPH, Biostatistician, The Heartbeat Clinic, Mckinney, TX; Amna Butt, MBBS, Extern, Cardiology, The Heartbeat Clinic, Mckinney, TX; Amer Suleman, MD, Physician, Cardiology, The Heartbeat Clinic, Mckinney, TX

Learning Objectives

  1. To find out the relevance of RDW in POTS or PSWT patients

Background: Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a complex disorder that is characterized by an increase in delta HR of 30 beats or more while doing a TILT table test. Postural symptoms without tachycardia (PSWT) is a condition similar to POTS without a significant increase in Heart Rate. They are often accompanied by various debilitating symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. As of recent studies, there are associations between POTS and cardiovascular abnormalities.

Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW), a measure of red blood cell size heterogeneity, reflects a potential biomarker in various cardiovascular disorders. By examining RDW in relation to clinical parameters such as heart rate variability, symptom burden, and autonomic function, we aim to correlate its abnormalities in POTS. Abnormal RDW levels have been implicated as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes and increased mortality risk in various cardiac conditions, such as heart failure.

Methods: A random data set of 158 patients has been selected from The Heartbeat Clinic, Texas, USA. The data was arranged in excel sheet, whereas SPSS 29.0 was used to analyze and generate the results.

Results: Among 158 POTS or PSWT patients, 145 (91.8%) were female, and 13 (8.2%) were male. There were 135 (85.4%) patients had POTS, whereas 23 (14.6%) had PSWT. RDW had 3 ranges; low (11-11.6), normal (11.7-15) and high (15.1-24). 8 (5.1%),134(84.8%) and 16(10.1%) patients had low, normal and high ranges of RDW respectively. Upon application of Oneway ANOVA on the variables, the p-value obtained was 0.138 which is higher than the standard significant value 0.05. Which showed no statistical significant role of RDW in POTS or PSWT patients.

Conclusion: It is concluded that RDW has no statistical relevance in POTS or PSWT patients.

References and Resources

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