Cardiology - JVP causes

Question 1

Causes of a raised jugular venous pulse (JVP)

Answer 1

• Congestive cardiac failure
• Cor pulmonale
• Tricuspid regurgitation (prominent v waves)
• Tricuspid stenosis (prominent a’ waves)
• Complete heart block (cannon waves)
• Non-pulsatile neck veins seen in superior vena caval obstruction

Question 2

Circumstances causing giant/cannon a waves

Answer 2

• Ventricular tachycardia or ventricular pacing
• Complete heart block
• AV nodal tachycardia
• Tricuspid stenosis

Question 3

Circumstances causing large a waves

Answer 3

• Mitral stenosis
• Left ventricular systolic dysfunction
• Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction
• Left ventricular volume overload
• Myocardial ischemia or infarction with decreased left ventricular compliance

Question 4

Circumstances causing rapid y descent

Answer 4

Conditions that lead to rapid RV filling, an exaggerated y descent can be seen. These include:

• Constrictive pericarditis
• Restrictive cardiomyopathy
• Severe tricuspid regurgitation

Question 5

Large V wave

Answer 5

Mitral regurgitation
Tricuspid regurgitation Hypervolemia
Ventricular septal defect