Courtesy Hotchkiss Brain Institute

Shaun Ranada

PCP, BSc

Positions

Doctoral Student

Cumming School of Medicine, Department of Cardiac Sciences | Cardiology

Contact information

Email

shaun.ranada1@ucalgary.ca

Location

Raj/Sheldon Lab: G73A

Projects

Hypercapnia and orthostatic intolerance in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS)

Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) is a debilitating condition that significantly impacts quality of life for patients. POTS is a chronic form of intolerance to standing and is due to problems with the autonomic nervous system. A hallmark feature of POTS is an excessive increase in heart rate (HR) when standing (increase of >30 beats per minute) without a drop in blood pressure. POTS patients report frequent and chronic (>3 months) symptoms when upright. Symptoms include chest pains, light-headedness, mental clouding, and breathlessness. When patients stand, they can also experience mild hyperventilation. As a result, patients exhale more carbon dioxide (CO2) resulting in low CO2 (hypocapnia). Hyperventilation worsens the increase in HR and symptoms in POTS. It is unclear whether it is the increase in breathing (i.e., increase in breathing depth) or hypocapnia that worsens HR and symptoms. Additionally, treatment options for POTS patients are limited. We are trying to see if we can develop a new therapy. Some studies have found that breathing slightly higher levels of CO2 (hypercapnia) improves HR and symptoms. We will test this idea in patients with POTS. We will also test whether the effects of hyperventilation are caused by increased breathing depth or low CO2. The results from this study will determine if breathing higher levels of CO2 can serve as a novel treatment for POTS patients.

Awards

  • Undergraduate Summer Research Student Ship - $4500, Alberta Innovates. 2019
  • Libin Cardiovascular Institute Graduate Scholarship (BRAIN CREATE) - $12,500, Libin Cardiovascular Institute (BRAIN CREATE). 2021
  • Libin Travel/Conference Awards - $3000, Libin Cardiovascular Institute (BRAIN CREATE). 2021
  • AbSPORU Patient-Oriented Graduate Studentship - $30,000, Alberta SPOR SUPPORT Unit (AbSPORU). 2022
  • MDCV Student award - $1000 , University of Calgary MDCV Program. 2022
  • Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarships (AGES) - Master's Research - $11000, University of Calgary Graduate Program . 2022
  • CANet Travel Award - $1500 , Cardiovascular Network of Canada. 2022
  • CANet Poster Award in the Research Category (CANet Symposium 2022), Cardiovascular Network of Canada. 2022