Jugular Venous Pressure (JVP)
February 15th, 2021
Overview
Look For
- The pulsation of the jugular vein, between the sternal and clavicular heads of the sternocleidomastoid.
How to Perform
- Position the patient at 45 degrees and ask them to turn their head to the left. Hold a flashlight tangentially to the skin of the neck and inspect for the highest level of the jugular venous pulsation. Measure the vertical distance between the sternal angle and this level.
Interpretation
- The JVP is elevated if the vertical distance between the sternal angle and the highest point of the pulse is greater than 3cm.
Causes of Elevated JVP
- Fluid overload - excessive IV fluids, renal disease, heart failure
- Right ventricular systolic failure - cor pulmonale, left ventricular failure
- Right ventricular diastolic failure - constrictive pericarditis, tamponade
- Pulmonary hypertension
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