Elevated Jugular Venous Pressure

CLINICAL DIAGNOSTIC MANUAL

Elevated jugular venous pressure (JVP) is a clinical sign indicating increased pressure in the central venous system, particularly in the jugular vein, reflecting fluid overload or cardiac dysfunction. This condition may indicate various cardiac, pulmonary, and vascular pathologies, and its detection is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and management of these diseases.

Pathology	Suspected Diagnosis	Confirmatory Diagnosis
Fluid overload	Jugular distention, peripheral oedema, ascites.	Blood tests (electrolytes, renal function), echocardiogram.
Congestive heart failure	Dyspnoea, fatigue, jugular distention, peripheral oedema.	Echocardiogram, blood tests (BNP), chest X-ray.
Cor pulmonale	Dyspnoea, cyanosis, jugular distention, peripheral oedema.	Echocardiogram, pulmonary function tests, chest X-ray.
Atrial fibrillation	Palpitations, dyspnoea, fatigue, jugular distention.	Electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiogram.
Complete heart block	Bradycardia, syncope, jugular distention.	Electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitor.
Tricuspid regurgitation	Holosystolic murmur, hepatomegaly, jugular distention.	Echocardiogram, blood tests.
Pericardial effusion	Chest pain, dyspnoea, pulsus paradoxus, jugular distention.	Echocardiogram, chest CT or MRI.
Constrictive pericarditis	Chest pain, dyspnoea, pulsus paradoxus, jugular distention.	Chest MRI, echocardiogram.
Jugular vein obstruction	Unilateral jugular distention, neck pain, facial and neck oedema.	Neck and chest CT or MRI, Doppler ultrasound.