Elevated Jugular Venous Pressure

The traditional “window” for viewing the jugular venous pulse is confined to the region of the neck between the clavicle and the angle of the jaw. However, when central venous pressure is markedly elevated, the jugular venous pulse may not be readily visible within that window, even with the patient sitting in the upright position. In such circumstances, be sure to look above the jaw as the pulse is often transmitted by veins of the periauricular area, temple, or forehead.

Card Tutorial

Patient 1

This patient was admitted to the hospital with decompensated heart failure. The videos demonstrate the jugular venous waveform near the angle of the jaw with the patient inclined to 60 degrees.

Upper Neck

Narrated