Jugular Venous Pressure Measurement (JVP)

Jugular Venous Pressure Measurement (JVP)

The technique for examination for CVP (central venous pressure)
Patient reclining with head elevated 45 °
Measure elevation of neck veins above the sternal angle (Lewis Method).

Add 5 cm to measurement since right atrium is 5 cm below the sternal angle.

Normal CVP <= 8 cm H2O

Light should be tangential to illuminate highlights and shadows.
Neck should not be sharply flexed.

Using a centimeter ruler, measure the vertical distance between the angle of Louis (manubrio sternal joint) and the highest level of jugular vein pulsation. A straight edge intersecting the ruler at a right angle may be helpful.

If the internal jugular vein is not detectable, use the external jugular vein. The internal jugular vein is the preferred site.