Published online Dec 6, 2020. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v8.i23.5999
Peer-review started: June 28, 2020
First decision: July 24, 2020
Revised: July 30, 2020
Accepted: October 12, 2020
Article in press: October 12, 2020
Published online: December 6, 2020
Processing time: 159 Days and 0.6 Hours
A modified Valsalva maneuver (VM) has been suggested to be superior to the standard VM for conversion of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT).
To evaluate the efficacy and economic benefits of a modified VM in Chinese patients.
Patients with PSVT admitted to our center between October 2017 and September 2019 were randomly assigned to the modified and standard VM groups. Conversion via VM was performed up to three times. The primary outcome of the study was the success rate of PSVT conversion to sinus rhythm. The secondary outcomes included the incidence of adverse events, economic cost during the visit, and the degree of patient acceptance of the treatment.
Overall, 361 patients were enrolled, with 180 allocated to the modified VM group and 181 to the standard VM group. Baseline characteristics were well matched in the groups. Overall, the modified VM group had higher success rates of PSVT conversion after single (47.78% vs 15.38%, P < 0.001) and multiple (62.22% vs 19.78%, P < 0.001) VM sessions. No significant differences in the incidences of adverse events and rates of patient acceptance were detected between the two groups (both P > 0.05). Moreover, the economic cost of the clinic visit was significantly lower for the modified VM group than for the standard VM group (P < 0.05).
The modified VM may confer both therapeutic and economic benefits as compared with the standard VM for conversion of PSVT.
Core Tip: The modified Valsalva maneuver can increase the pressure in the thoracic cavity and the amount of return heart blood in a short time, thereby increasing left atrial pressure and stimulating the carotid baroreceptor synergistically so as to terminate supraventricular tachycardia. The maneuver is simple and easy to operate, has good safety, a low incidence of adverse reactions, can reduce personal and medical insurance expenses, has good economic benefits, and can be popularized in community hospitals and other primary hospitals.