Key result
Only ~10% of ED doctors correctly instruct the Valsalva manoeuvre for SVT.
Why the study?
Success rates for the Valsalva manoeuvre in treating paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia vary with performance technique, but it is unclear if ED doctors instruct the recommended technique.
Population
35 ED registrars and 17 emergency physicians
Comparison
Correct VM instruction (supine position for 15 s) vs incorrect instruction
Design
Multicentre observational study
Authors
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Few ED doctors instruct the recommended supine VM; leaves open whether education improves SVT termination rates.
Observational (n=52)
Yes
p-value: p=>0.05
Taylor et al. (2004) conducted an observational in Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (n=52). ED doctor instruction of the Valsalva manoeuvre was evaluated on Correct instruction of the Valsalva manoeuvre technique (supine position for 15 s) (p=>0.05). Only 9.6% of ED doctors correctly instructed patients to assume a supine position and blow for at least 15 seconds when performing the Valsalva manoeuvre for SVT.