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 10

This is a middle aged man with a new diagnosis of toxin-induced cardiomyopathy with markedly elevated filling pressures.