Effect of Valsalva maneuver on surface electrocardiographic P-wave dispersion in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation

Am J Cardiol. 2000 Apr 1;85(7):896-9, A10. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9149(99)00891-7.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the Valsalva maneuver on P-wave durations and dispersion. After the Valsalva maneuver, we found that maximum P-wave duration increased, minimum P-wave duration decreased, and P-wave dispersion increased in controls, whereas the opposite was true for unselected patients with paroxysmal AF. It was concluded that patients with paroxysmal AF performing the Valsalva maneuver normalized their P-wave dispersion, thereby correcting the inhomogeneous intra-atrial conduction.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / therapeutic use
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy
  • Atrial Fibrillation / physiopathology*
  • Electrocardiography*
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Humans
  • Lidocaine / analogs & derivatives
  • Lidocaine / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / drug effects
  • Sympathetic Nervous System / physiopathology
  • Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / drug therapy
  • Tachycardia, Paroxysmal / physiopathology*
  • Valsalva Maneuver*

Substances

  • Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
  • Lidocaine
  • pilsicainide