[The effect of the Valsalva and Müller maneuvers on right and left atrial dimensions in man studied by esophageal echocardiography (author's transl)].

The effect of the Valsalva (V) and Müller maneuvers (M) on the right and left atrial dimensions was evaluated by esophageal echocardiography in 8 normal male subjects. During V and M, the right atrial free wall (RAW), interatrial septum (IAS) and left atrial posterior wall were recorded by esophageal echocardiography simultaneously with intraairway pressure (Paw). Right (RAD) and left atrial dimensions (LAD) at atrial end-diastolic were measured at various phases during each maneuver. Mean expiratory effort of +40 mmHg Paw in V and mean inspiratory effort of -40 mmHg Paw in M were maintained for about 10 sec. Both atrial dimensions changed significantly during each maneuver. RAD began to decrease just after the onset of V, while LAD changed little during this phase, after which began to decrease progressively. The leftward displacement of IAS with the simultaneous outward displacement of RAW resulted in an increase of RAD and a decrease of LAD just after the onset of M and the release of V. LAD remained higher than resting value from the second (2--4 sec after the onset) to late phase (just before the release) during M. RAD decreased just after the release of M. Thus, esophageal echocardiography was useful to evaluate both atrial dimensions during V and M.