Valsalva maneuver
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In [[medicine]], the '''Valsalva maneuver''' is performed by forcibly exhaling against a closed [[glottis]] (a closed airway). This maneuver with slight modifications can be used as a test of cardiac function and [[autonomic nervous system|autonomic nervous control]] of the [[heart]] or to ‘clear’ the [[ear]]s and [[Aerosinusitis|sinuses]] (equalize pressure) when ambient pressure changes, as in [[diving]] or [[aviation]].
The technique is named for [[Antonio Maria Valsalva]], the 17th Century physician and anatomist from [[Bologna]], whose principal scientific interest was the human ear. He described the Eustachian tube and the maneuver to test its patency (openness). He also described the use of this maneuver to expel pus from the middle ear.
A modified version is done by expiring against a closed glottis. This will elicit the cardiovascular responses described below but will not force air into the eustachian tubes.
== Physiological response ==
[[Image:valsalva3.jpg|thumb|450px|right|Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and pulse rate during a normal response to Valsalva’s maneuver. Forty millimeter mercury pressure is applied at 5 seconds and relieved at 20 seconds.]]
The normal physiological response consists of 4 phases, which are marked on the figure at right:<ref>{{cite journal |author=Luster EA, Baumgartner N, Adams WC, Convertino VA |title=Effects of hypovolemia and posture on responses to the Valsalva maneuver |journal=Aviat Space Environ Med |volume=67 |issue=4 |pages=308–13 |year=1996 |month=April |pmid=8900980 |doi= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref>
# '''Initial pressure rise:''' On application of expiratory force, pressure rises inside the chest forcing blood out of the pulmonary circulation into the left atrium. This causes a mild rise in blood pressure.
# '''Reduced venous return and compensation:''' Return of systemic blood to the heart is impeded by the pressure inside the chest. The output of the heart is reduced and blood pressure falls. This occurs from 5 to about 14 seconds in the illustration. The fall in blood pressure reflexively causes blood vessels to constrict with some rise in pressure (15 to 20 seconds). This compensation can be quite marked with pressure returning to near or even above normal, but the [[cardiac output]] and blood flow to the body remains low. During this time the pulse rate increases.
# '''Pressure release:''' The pressure on the chest is released, allowing the pulmonary vessels and the [[aorta]] to re-expand causing a further initial slight fall in pressure (20 to 23 seconds) due to decreased left ventricular return and increased aortic volume, respectively. Venous blood can once more enter the chest and the heart, cardiac output begins to increase.
# '''Return of cardiac output:''' Blood return to the heart is enhanced by the effect of entry of blood which had been dammed back, causing a rapid increase in cardiac output and of blood pressure (24 seconds on). The pressure usually rises above normal before returning to a normal level. With return of blood pressure, the pulse rate returns towards normal.
Deviation from this response pattern signifies either abnormal heart function or abnormal autonomic nervous control of the heart.
Valsava is also used by dentist following extraction of a maxillary molar tooth. The maneuver is performed to determine if a perforation or antral communication exist.
== Normalizing middle ear pressures ==
When rapid ambient pressure increase occurs as in diving or aircraft descent, this pressure tends to hold the [[Eustachian tubes]] closed, preventing pressure equalization across the ear drum, with painful results.<ref name=Brubakk>{{cite book |title=Bennett and Elliott's physiology and medicine of diving, 5th Rev ed. |last=Brubakk |first=A. O. |coauthors=T. S. Neuman |year=2003 |publisher=Saunders Ltd. |location=United States |isbn=0702025712 |pages=800 }}</ref><ref name=kay>{{cite web |url=http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/MEbaro.html |title=Prevention of middle ear barotrauma |author=Kay, E |format=html |accessdate=2008-06-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://faculty.washington.edu/ekay/ |title=The Diver's Ear - Under Pressure |author=Kay, E |format=Flash video |accessdate=2008-06-11 }}</ref> To avoid this painful situation, divers, [[Caisson_%28engineering%29|caisson]] workers and aircrew attempt to open the Eustachian tubes by swallowing, which tends to open the tubes, allowing the ear to equalize itself.
If this fails, then the Valsalva maneuver may be used. It should be noted this maneuver, when used as a tool to equalize middle ear pressure, carries with it the risk of auditory damage from over pressurization of the middle ear.<ref name=kay/><ref name=roydhouse>{{cite journal |author=Roydhouse, N |title=The squeeze, the ear and prevention |journal=South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal |volume=8 |issue=1 |date=[[1978]] |issn=0813-1988 |oclc=16986801 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/6169 |accessdate=2008-06-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Taylor |first=D |title=The Valsalva Manoeuvre: A critical review |journal=South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal |volume=26 |issue=1 |date=[[1996]] |issn=0813-1988 |oclc=16986801 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/6264 |accessdate=2008-06-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Roydhouse, N and Taylor, D |title=The Valsalva Manoeuvre. (letter to editor) |journal=South Pacific Underwater Medicine Society journal |volume=26 |issue=3 |date=[[1996]] |issn=0813-1988 |oclc=16986801 |url=http://archive.rubicon-foundation.org/6303 |accessdate=2008-06-11 }}</ref> It is safer, if time permits, to attempt to open the Eustachian tubes by swallowing a few times, or yawning. The effectiveness of the "yawning" method can be improved with practise; some people are able to achieve release or opening by moving their jaws forward or forward and down, rather than straight down as in a classical yawn.<ref name=kay/> Opening can often be clearly heard by the practitioner, thus providing feedback that the maneuver was successful.
The reason opening your mouth is successful while trying to open the Eustachian tubes is because when your jaw is closed, it pinches these tubes, restricting flow. Opening your mouth releaves the pinching. So, while using the Valsalva maneuver, having your jaw open (while still having your lips shut) will make it much more successful. This is also the reason some people may say to chew gum during an airplace descent, because the chewing motion of your jaw opens the Eustachian tubes.
Note that in a clinical setting the Valsalva maneuver will be done either against a closed glottis, or against an external pressure measuring device, in each case either eliminating or minimizing the pressure on the Eustachian tubes. Straining, blowing against resistance as in blowing up balloons has a Valsalva effect and the fall in blood pressure can result in dizziness and even fainting.
==Cardiology==
The Valsalva maneuver may be used to arrest episodes of [[supraventricular tachycardia]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Lim SH, Anantharaman V, Teo WS, Goh PP, Tan AT |title=Comparison of treatment of supraventricular tachycardia by Valsalva maneuver and carotid sinus massage |journal=Ann Emerg Med |volume=31 |issue=1 |pages=30–5 |year=1998 |month=January |pmid=9437338 |doi= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |author=Nagappan R, Arora S, Winter C |title=Potential dangers of the Valsalva maneuver and adenosine in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia--beware preexcitation |journal=Crit Care Resusc |volume=4 |issue=2 |pages=107–11 |year=2002 |month=June |pmid=16573413 |doi= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> The maneuver can sometimes be used to diagnose heart abnormalities, especially when used in conjunction with [[echocardiogram]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Zuber M, Cuculi F, Oechslin E, Erne P, Jenni R |title=Is transesophageal echocardiography still necessary to exclude patent foramen ovale? |journal=Scand. Cardiovasc. J. |volume=42 |issue=3 |pages=222–5 |year=2008 |month=June |pmid=18569955 |doi=10.1080/14017430801932832 |url=http://www.informaworld.com/openurl?genre=article&doi=10.1080/14017430801932832&magic=pubmed||1B69BA326FFE69C3F0A8F227DF8201D0 |accessdate=2008-07-09}}</ref> For example, the Valsalva maneuver classically increases the intensity of [[hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]] murmurs, viz. those of dynamic subvalvular left ventricular outflow obstruction; whereas it decreases the intensity all other murmurs, including [[aortic stenosis]] and [[atrial septal defect]].
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Effect of Valsalva
! Cardiac Finding
|-
| rowspan=4 | '''Decreased'''
|-
| [[Aortic Stenosis]]
|-
| [[Pulmonic Stenosis]]
|-
| [[Tricuspid insufficiency|Tricuspid Regurgitation]]
|-
| rowspan=2 | '''Increased'''
|-
| [[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]], [[mitral valve prolapse]]
|-
|}
==Neurology==
The Valsalva maneuver is used to aid in the clinical diagnosis of problems or injury in the nerves of the cervical spine.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Johnson RH, Smith AC, Spalding JM |title=Blood pressure response to standing and to Valsalva's manoeuvre: independence of the two mechanisms in neurological diseases including cervical cord lesions |journal=Clin Sci |volume=36 |issue=1 |pages=77–86 |year=1969 |month=February |pmid=5783806 |doi= |url= |accessdate=}}</ref> Upon the exertion of pressure, neuropathies or radicular pain may be felt, and may indicate impingement on a nerve by an intervertebral disc or other part of the anatomy.
==Valsalva retinopathy==
A pathologic syndrome associated with the Valsalva maneuver is Valsalva retinopathy.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Gibran SK, Kenawy N, Wong D, Hiscott P |title=Changes in the retinal inner limiting membrane associated with Valsalva retinopathy |journal=Br J Ophthalmol |volume=91 |issue=5 |pages=701–2 |year=2007 |month=May |pmid=17446519 |doi=10.1136/bjo.2006.104935 |url=http://bjo.bmj.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=17446519 |accessdate=2008-07-09}}</ref> It presents as preretinal hemorrhage (bleeding in front of the retina) in people with a history of transient increase in the intrathoracic pressure. The bleeding may be associated with a history of heavy lifting, forceful coughing, straining on the toilet, or vomiting. The bleeding may cause a reduction of vision if it obstructs the visual axis. Patients may also note floaters in their vision. Usually a full recovery of vision is made.
==See also==
*[[Ear clearing]]
== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
*[http://www.shawchiropractic.com/attorneys/MORE_glossary.htm Definitions of various clinical tests for neuropathy]
*[http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic769.htm More on the topic of Valsalva retinopathy]
*[http://www.emedicine.com/oph/topic421.htm More on the topic of Vitreous hemorrhage]
[[Category:Aviation medicine]]
[[Category:Diving medicine]]
[[Category:Underwater diving]]
[[Category:Ear]]
[[Category:Human physiology]]
[[de:Valsalva-Versuch]]
[[es:Maniobra de Valsalva]]
[[fr:Manœuvre de Valsalva]]
[[id:Manuver Valsava]]
[[it:Manovra di Valsalva]]
[[ja:バルサルバ効果]]
[[no:Valsalvas manøver]]
[[pl:Próba Valsalvy]]
[[pt:Manobra de Valsalva]]
[[ru:Манёвр Вальсальвы]]
[[sl:Manever po Valsalvi]]