Comparison of the effectiveness of various valsalva maneuvers in the management of stable narrow and wide QRS complex tachycardia in the emergency department

Purpose: Narrow and wide QRS complex tachycardias are among the causes of arrhythmia in patients frequently admitted to the emergency department (ED). The first recommended step in the management of patients with a stable narrow and wide QRS tachycardia is a vagal maneuver. Althougah there are many maneuvers that can provide vagal stimulation, the most effective vagal maneuver is still unknown. This study aims at determining the most effective vagal maneuver by comparing the four most commonly used maneuvers. Materials and methods: One hundred and thirty-two patients were included in this study; they were randomly and equally distributed into four groups. Carotid sinus massage (CSM) was applied to the first group, the REVERT method was applied to the second group (a 10-cc injector was used), a modified REVERT method was applied to the third group (a 60-cc injector was used), and the abeslang (wooden tongue depressor) method was applied to the fourth group. During these four applications, the patients’ vital signs were monitored, and preparations were made for any emergency. Results: Of the 132 patients included in the study, 61 (46.2%) were males, and 71 (53.8%) were females. The average age of the patients was 56.3 years. One hundred and twenty-six had narrow QRS tachycardias, and 6 had stable wide QRS tachycardias. The patients were randomly distributed into 4 groups. In the 1st group, 1 patient (3%) returned to a normal rhythm with the CSM method. In the 2nd group, 3 patients (9.1%) returned to a normal rhythm with the REVERT method. Nine patients (27.3%) in the 3rd group returned to a normal rhythm with the modified REVERT method. 6 patients (18.2%) in the 4th group returned to normal rhythm with the abeslang method. None of the stable wide QRS tachycardias responded to vagal stimulation methods. Conclusion: The modified REVERT and abeslang methods are preferred primarily in patients entering the ED with the complaint of a stable narrow or wide QRS tachycardia in the case that a vagal maneuver is to be applied. On the other hand, a vagal maneuver is not effective in the management of a stable wide QRS tachycardia.