Jugular Venous Distension

  • Elevated venous pressure measured via the jugular vein, greater than 3 cm above the sternal angle
  • Can be indicative of right ventricular failure, reduced right ventricular compliance, pericardial disease, hypervolemia, tricuspid valve stenosis, or obstruction of the superior vena cava
  • Late finding in left ventricular failure,
    advanced mitral stenosis with right-sided heart failure (upright 90 degrees)