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 COVIVA study)

BackgroundSignificant clinical similarities have been observed between the recently described “Long-Haul” COVID-19 (LHC) syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST). Shared symptoms include light-headedness, palpitations, tremulousness, genera...

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Main Authors: David Saunders, Thomas B. Arnold, Jason M. Lavender, Daoqin Bi, Karl Alcover, Lydia D. Hellwig, Sahar T. Leazer, Roshila Mohammed, Bethelhem Markos, Kanchana Perera, Dutchabong Shaw, Priscilla Kobi, Martin Evans, Autumn Mains, Marian Tanofsky-Kraff, Emilie Goguet, Edward Mitre, Kathleen P. Pratt, Clifton L. Dalgard, Mark C. Haigney
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Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1550636/full
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author David Saunders
Thomas B. Arnold
Thomas B. Arnold
Thomas B. Arnold
Jason M. Lavender
Jason M. Lavender
Jason M. Lavender
Daoqin Bi
Daoqin Bi
Daoqin Bi
Karl Alcover
Lydia D. Hellwig
Lydia D. Hellwig
Lydia D. Hellwig
Sahar T. Leazer
Sahar T. Leazer
Sahar T. Leazer
Roshila Mohammed
Roshila Mohammed
Roshila Mohammed
Bethelhem Markos
Bethelhem Markos
Bethelhem Markos
Kanchana Perera
Kanchana Perera
Kanchana Perera
Dutchabong Shaw
Dutchabong Shaw
Priscilla Kobi
Priscilla Kobi
Martin Evans
Autumn Mains
Autumn Mains
Autumn Mains
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
Emilie Goguet
Emilie Goguet
Edward Mitre
Kathleen P. Pratt
Clifton L. Dalgard
Clifton L. Dalgard
Mark C. Haigney
Mark C. Haigney
author_facet David Saunders
Thomas B. Arnold
Thomas B. Arnold
Thomas B. Arnold
Jason M. Lavender
Jason M. Lavender
Jason M. Lavender
Daoqin Bi
Daoqin Bi
Daoqin Bi
Karl Alcover
Lydia D. Hellwig
Lydia D. Hellwig
Lydia D. Hellwig
Sahar T. Leazer
Sahar T. Leazer
Sahar T. Leazer
Roshila Mohammed
Roshila Mohammed
Roshila Mohammed
Bethelhem Markos
Bethelhem Markos
Bethelhem Markos
Kanchana Perera
Kanchana Perera
Kanchana Perera
Dutchabong Shaw
Dutchabong Shaw
Priscilla Kobi
Priscilla Kobi
Martin Evans
Autumn Mains
Autumn Mains
Autumn Mains
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
Emilie Goguet
Emilie Goguet
Edward Mitre
Kathleen P. Pratt
Clifton L. Dalgard
Clifton L. Dalgard
Mark C. Haigney
Mark C. Haigney
author_sort David Saunders
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundSignificant clinical similarities have been observed between the recently described “Long-Haul” COVID-19 (LHC) syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST). Shared symptoms include light-headedness, palpitations, tremulousness, generalized weakness, blurred vision, chest pain, dyspnea, “brain-fog,” and fatigue. Ivabradine is a selective sinoatrial node blocker FDA-approved for management of tachycardia associated with stable angina and heart failure not fully managed by beta blockers. In our study we aim to identify risk factors underlying LHC, as well as the effectiveness of ivabradine in controlling heart rate dysregulations and POTS/IST related symptoms.Methods/designA detailed prospective phenotypic evaluation combined with multi-omic analysis of 200 LHC volunteers will be conducted to identify risk factors for autonomic dysfunction. A comparator group of 50 volunteers with documented COVID-19 but without LHC will be enrolled to better understand the risk factors for LHC and autonomic dysfunction. Those in the cohort who meet diagnostic criteria for POTS or IST will be included in a nested prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the impact of ivabradine on symptoms and heart rate, assessed non-invasively based on physiologic response and ambulatory electrocardiogram. Additionally, studies on catecholamine production, mast cell and basophil degranulation, inflammatory biomarkers, and indicators of metabolic dysfunction will be measured to potentially provide molecular classification and mechanistic insights.DiscussionOptimal therapies for dysautonomia, particularly associated with LHC, have yet to be defined. In the present study, ivabradine, one of numerous proposed interventions, will be systematically evaluated for therapeutic potential in LHC-associated POTS and IST. Additionally, this study will further refine the characteristics of the LHC-associated POTS/IST phenotype, genotype and transcriptional profile, including immunologic and multi-omic analysis of persistent immune activation and dysregulation. The study will also explore and identify potential endotheliopathy and abnormalities of the clotting cascade.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05481177.
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spelling doaj-art-b2b3131b7dc14dfd9cf6fa683cf449b42025-08-20T03:28:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952025-07-011610.3389/fneur.2025.15506361550636Comparative cohort study of post-acute COVID-19 infection with a nested, randomized controlled trial of ivabradine for those with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (the COVIVA study)David Saunders0Thomas B. Arnold1Thomas B. Arnold2Thomas B. Arnold3Jason M. Lavender4Jason M. Lavender5Jason M. Lavender6Daoqin Bi7Daoqin Bi8Daoqin Bi9Karl Alcover10Lydia D. Hellwig11Lydia D. Hellwig12Lydia D. Hellwig13Sahar T. Leazer14Sahar T. Leazer15Sahar T. Leazer16Roshila Mohammed17Roshila Mohammed18Roshila Mohammed19Bethelhem Markos20Bethelhem Markos21Bethelhem Markos22Kanchana Perera23Kanchana Perera24Kanchana Perera25Dutchabong Shaw26Dutchabong Shaw27Priscilla Kobi28Priscilla Kobi29Martin Evans30Autumn Mains31Autumn Mains32Autumn Mains33Marian Tanofsky-Kraff34Marian Tanofsky-Kraff35Emilie Goguet36Emilie Goguet37Edward Mitre38Kathleen P. Pratt39Clifton L. Dalgard40Clifton L. Dalgard41Mark C. Haigney42Mark C. Haigney43Uniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesThe Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesThe Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesHenry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesHenry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United StatesCenter for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesThe Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesThe Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesThe Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesThe Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesHenry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesHenry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United StatesWalter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesThe Metis Foundation, San Antonio, TX, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesHenry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc., Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesCenter for Military Precision Health, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesUniformed Services University School of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United StatesMilitary Cardiovascular Outcomes Research, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United StatesBackgroundSignificant clinical similarities have been observed between the recently described “Long-Haul” COVID-19 (LHC) syndrome, Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia (IST). Shared symptoms include light-headedness, palpitations, tremulousness, generalized weakness, blurred vision, chest pain, dyspnea, “brain-fog,” and fatigue. Ivabradine is a selective sinoatrial node blocker FDA-approved for management of tachycardia associated with stable angina and heart failure not fully managed by beta blockers. In our study we aim to identify risk factors underlying LHC, as well as the effectiveness of ivabradine in controlling heart rate dysregulations and POTS/IST related symptoms.Methods/designA detailed prospective phenotypic evaluation combined with multi-omic analysis of 200 LHC volunteers will be conducted to identify risk factors for autonomic dysfunction. A comparator group of 50 volunteers with documented COVID-19 but without LHC will be enrolled to better understand the risk factors for LHC and autonomic dysfunction. Those in the cohort who meet diagnostic criteria for POTS or IST will be included in a nested prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the impact of ivabradine on symptoms and heart rate, assessed non-invasively based on physiologic response and ambulatory electrocardiogram. Additionally, studies on catecholamine production, mast cell and basophil degranulation, inflammatory biomarkers, and indicators of metabolic dysfunction will be measured to potentially provide molecular classification and mechanistic insights.DiscussionOptimal therapies for dysautonomia, particularly associated with LHC, have yet to be defined. In the present study, ivabradine, one of numerous proposed interventions, will be systematically evaluated for therapeutic potential in LHC-associated POTS and IST. Additionally, this study will further refine the characteristics of the LHC-associated POTS/IST phenotype, genotype and transcriptional profile, including immunologic and multi-omic analysis of persistent immune activation and dysregulation. The study will also explore and identify potential endotheliopathy and abnormalities of the clotting cascade.Clinical trial registrationhttps://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05481177.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1550636/fullsevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2long-haul COVID-19postural orthostatic tachycardia syndromeivabradine (Procoralan)clinical trial
spellingShingle David Saunders
Thomas B. Arnold
Thomas B. Arnold
Thomas B. Arnold
Jason M. Lavender
Jason M. Lavender
Jason M. Lavender
Daoqin Bi
Daoqin Bi
Daoqin Bi
Karl Alcover
Lydia D. Hellwig
Lydia D. Hellwig
Lydia D. Hellwig
Sahar T. Leazer
Sahar T. Leazer
Sahar T. Leazer
Roshila Mohammed
Roshila Mohammed
Roshila Mohammed
Bethelhem Markos
Bethelhem Markos
Bethelhem Markos
Kanchana Perera
Kanchana Perera
Kanchana Perera
Dutchabong Shaw
Dutchabong Shaw
Priscilla Kobi
Priscilla Kobi
Martin Evans
Autumn Mains
Autumn Mains
Autumn Mains
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
Marian Tanofsky-Kraff
Emilie Goguet
Emilie Goguet
Edward Mitre
Kathleen P. Pratt
Clifton L. Dalgard
Clifton L. Dalgard
Mark C. Haigney
Mark C. Haigney
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 COVIVA study)
Frontiers in Neurology
severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
long-haul COVID-19
postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
ivabradine (Procoralan)
clinical trial
title 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 COVIVA study)
title_full 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 COVIVA study)
title_fullStr 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 COVIVA study)
title_full_unstemmed 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 COVIVA study)
title_short 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 COVIVA study)
title_sort 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 coviva study
topic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
long-haul COVID-19
postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome
ivabradine (Procoralan)
clinical trial
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2025.1550636/full
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