Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40132893›Full record

SynthesisOpen heart2025

Pyridostigmine in the management of orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Nicholas Vlado Pavic, Shane Zhang, Alexander George Maloof, Rudy Goh, Joshua Kovoor, Pramesh Kovoor, Ron Postuma, Dennis Lau, Suzanne Edwards, Stephen Bacchi

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Open heart, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. How to treat cardiovascular autonomic failure in Parkinson's disease.Journal of neural transmission (Vienna, Austria : 1996) · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Nicholas Vlado PavicMedicine, Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia nvpavic@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0008-8059-8319
Shane ZhangMedicine, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0695-2032
Alexander George MaloofFaculty of medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Rudy GohThe University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Joshua KovoorFaculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Pramesh KovoorWestmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Ron PostumaDepartment of neurology, Montreal General Hospital, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Dennis LauRoyal Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Suzanne EdwardsFaculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
Stephen BacchiFaculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundCurrent pharmacological approaches for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension (OH) may detrimentally affect supine blood pressure (BP). This side effect is often unacceptable and limits the utility of medical management. Pyridostigmine has been proposed as a potential treatment alternative which may improve OH without worsening supine hypertension. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the currently available data regarding the use of pyridostigmine in the treatment of all-cause OH.

methodsA systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane and SCOPUS were searched for publications until 4 June 2024. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis.

resultsThe search returned 715 results, of which 6 randomised controlled trials met the inclusion criteria. Several studies reported a statistically significant improvement in orthostatic BP following pyridostigmine administration. Two studies found that pyridostigmine had no effect on standing BP among patients with severe autonomic failure. One study suggested that combination therapy with atomoxetine may elicit a synergistic effect. In most studies, pyridostigmine had no significant effect on supine BP. Adverse effects were minimal across the included studies. The pooled results from the meta-analysis showed that while pyridostigmine alone resulted in lower systolic and diastolic orthostatic drop, neither result was statistically significant. However, when pyridostigmine is combined with midodrine, this demonstrated a significant improvement in systolic orthostatic drop.

conclusionsPyridostigmine may be useful in the management of OH, particularly in patients with supine hypertension. The standing BP response to pyridostigmine may be greater in patients who have a relatively preserved baroreflex function and sympathetic reserve. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024555402.

Indexed as

Blood PressureHypotension, OrthostaticPyridostigmine BromideCholinesterase InhibitorsHumansTreatment OutcomeCholinesterase InhibitorsPyridostigmine BromideMeta-AnalysisPharmacologyPharmacology, Clinical

Identifiers

PMID40132893
PMCPMC11938227

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.