Clinical science
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Beat to beat changes in cardiac output during standardized Valsalva's manoeuvres were recorded using electrical bioimpedance cardiography in 13 normal subjects. Cardiac output increased by 12 +/- 5% after 1 s of straining solely because of an increase in heart rate. ⋯ There was a sustained increased in cardiac output (maximum +17 +/- 4%) in the late post strain period. The mean coefficient of variation in impedance measurements of cardiac output was 6.8% during all parts of Valsalva's manoeuvre, with no single value exceeding 10%.