A standardized Valsalva maneuver revealed an absence of normal bradycardia after the release of forced expiration in 12 of 18 patients maintained on chronic hemodialysis.
A majority of patients on chronic hemodialysis show an abnormal heart rate response to the Valsalva maneuver, potentially indicating a disordered baroreceptor mechanism or visceral neuropathy.
A standardized Valsalva maneuver was performed on 18 patients who were being maintained by chronic hemodialysis. Absence of the normal bradycardia after release of forced expiration was observed in 12 of these subjects. This abnormality may be related to a disordered baroreceptor mechanism or to visceral neuropathy in the uremic state
Soriano et al. (2008) studied this question. A standardized Valsalva maneuver revealed an absence of normal bradycardia after the release of forced expiration in 12 of 18 patients maintained on chronic hemodialysis.