Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and general anesthesia: a series of 13 cases.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To investigate whether patients with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) developed unexpected perioperative complications. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING Academic medical center. MEASUREMENTS The records of 13 patients with POTS, who underwent surgical procedures during general anesthesia, were studied. Details of disease management, anesthetic induction, hemodynamic response to induction and intubation, intraoperative course, and immediate postoperative management were analyzed. MAIN RESULTS Three patients developed prolonged intraoperative hypotension, which was not associated with induction of anesthesia. All 13 patients were successfully treated and they recovered without complications. There were no unplanned hospital or intensive care admissions. CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative hypotension, but not tachycardia, was observed in three of 13 patients with POTS who received general anesthesia for a variety of surgical procedures using multiple medications and techniques.