A valsalvometer can be effective in standardising the Valsalva manoeuvre.
A prospective randomised controlled study was performed in order to study the effectiveness of a device designed to reduce the variability in intra-abdominal pressures generated by individuals performing the Valsalva manoeuvre. One hundred women were recruited to take part in the project which compared a traditional Valsalva manoeuvre following standardised verbal instruction with forced expiration through a flow restriction device called a "valsalvometer". The abdominal pressure was measured using an air-filled rectal balloon catheter linked to a pressure transducer. The use of the valsalvometer was associated with a reduction in variation of intra-abdominal pressure between women to 50% of the standard deviation. The new device has the capacity to reduce the variation in intra-abdominal pressure produced when performing the Valsalva manoeuvre. The rise in intra-abdominal pressure may act as a standard against which other measurements are made.
Greenland
H P
HP
The Warrell Unit, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK. hughgreenland@doctors.org.uk
Hosker
G L
GL
Smith
A R B
AR
D003199:Computer Systems; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry / Q000295:instrumentation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D014636:Valsalva Maneuver / Q000502:physiology*