Title: Valsalva manoeuvre can be used to study baroreflex sensitivity in pregnancy
Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to assess whether baroreflex sensitivity can be measured in a non-invasive manner with the Valsalva manoeuvre in pregnancy. Study design: Baroreflex sensitivity was measured from the reflex response to phenylephrine injection and phase four of the Valsalva manoeuvre in nine pregnant women at 27 (range 24–33) gestational weeks. Results: Both the phenylephrine test and the Valsalva manoeuvre yielded similar estimates of baroreflex sensitivity (9.3 (4.1) ms/mmHg vs. 8.0 (5.2) ms/mmHg, Pearson's correlation coefficient r=0.81, P<0.008, linear regression BRSValsalva (ms/mmHg)=1.03×BRSPhenylephrine+1.59). Comparable changes in heart rate and blood pressure were obtained with the phenylephrine test and the Valsalva manoeuvre. Conclusion: The physiological challenge caused by the Valsalva manoeuvre can be used to measure baroreflex sensitivity in pregnancy. A possibility to study baroreflex function non-invasively, without pharmacological intervention, benefits future research of blood pressure regulation in pregnancy.
Publication Year: 1998
Publication Date: 1998-02-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
Access and Citation
Cited By Count: 4
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