Vagal maneuvers

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Stimulation of vagal tone by maneuvers on physical examination can improve diagnostic acumen and can treat (terminate) some arrhythmias.

• Carotid sinus massage
• Valsalva maneuver
• Dive reflex

• Increase early repolarization on the EKG
• Change the intensity of heart murmurs

• Break or terminate arrhythmias that involve the AV node such as AVNRT.
• Slow some rhythms down