title: Valsalva Maneuver and Strain-Related ECG Changes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  During the four steps of the Valsalva maneuver (VM), opposite changes can be observed in some physiologic parameters. Manifestations of the VM in the electrocardiogram (ECG) have been studied in detail, but there have been few reports comparing VM-related biochemical and hemodynamic changes with a focus on the strain phase of the VM.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We studied strain-related ECG changes during the VM.
  
  
  METHODS
  This self-control descriptive study was conducted in 20 healthy male college students aged 20.12 ± 2.23 years. They were well trained to perform the standard VM: maintenance of a 15-second expiratory pressure at 40 mmHg with open glottis. An ECG was continuously recorded in the supine position at (a) rest (before the VM) and at (b) the start and (c) end of strain maintenance in the second phase of the VM. The averages of four successive beats were computed for each set of (a), (b), and (c). Means ± standard errors of the mean were used for comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following the VM, the RR and PR intervals, corrected QT interval (QTc), P wave duration and amplitude, T wave amplitude, and the ratio of T/R amplitudes showed significant changes. The QRS duration and R wave amplitude did not show significant changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VM caused time and voltage changes in some ECG waves during the strain phase. Alterations in heart or lung volume, electrode-related alterations, and autonomic tone may cause these changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Seyed Mehran
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Hosseini
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Electrophysiology Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jamshir
keywords: Electrocardiogram; Straining; Valsalva Maneuver