Baroreflex sensitivity: reliability of baroreflex components of the Valsalva maneuver.

The reliability of the baroreflex sensitivity measurement has not yet been established. Thus, the objective of this study was to define intra-rater reliability of baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) measurements of the Valsalva maneuver (VM) in healthy individuals. Twenty-two healthy volunteers underwent VM testing at two time points. Intra-rater reliability was determined by the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement and minimal detectable difference. Vagal BRS showed good reliability (ICC=0.84), while alternative adrenergic BRS was moderately reproducible (ICC=0.61). Vagal and alternative adrenergic components of BRS in VM are reliable measurements.