Vagal maneuvers are used to try to slow an episode of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). These simple maneuvers stimulate the vagus nerve, sometimes resulting in slowed conduction of electrical impulses through the atrioventricular (AV) node of the heart.

How effective are vagal maneuvers?

A total of 25 (25.5%) instances of SVT were initially treated successfully with vagal maneuvers. The success rate was 43.7% (14/32 cases) from mVM, 24.2% (8/33) for sVM, and 9.1 % (3/33) for CSM (p < 0.05).

When should you not do vagal maneuvers?

Carotid Sinus Massage – Avoid carotid sinus massage (CSM) in patients with carotid bruits and patients with a history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke. Also, avoid it in patients who have experienced ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or myocardial infarction in the past three months.