Venous Pressure Graph

Question 1

What are the 3 waves on the venous pressure graph called and what do they represent?

Answer 1

a wave - atrial contraction
c wave - tricuspid valves closure
v wave - ventricular contraction

Question 2

There are two descent periods on the venous pressure graph - what are they called and what do they represent?

Answer 2

x descent - atrial relaxation

y descent - emptying of the atrium

Question 3

Which two points on the venous pressure curve represent tricuspid valve opening and closing?

Answer 3

Tricuspid valve opening - v wave

Tricuspid valve closing - c wave

Question 4

Which two points on the venous pressure curve represent ventricular systole?

Answer 4

The c and v waves.

Question 5

Which two points on the venous pressure curve represent ventricular diastole?

Answer 5

The v and a waves

Question 6

Large a waves can indicate which pathological conditions?

Answer 6

Right sided heart failure
Tricuspid stenosis
Pulmonary hypertension

Question 7

Cannon a waves are intermittent large a waves. Which pathological conditions are they typically present?

Answer 7

Complete heart block
PAC/PVC - premature atrial/ventricular contractions
Ventricular tachycardia

Question 8

Absent a waves are most usually indicative of which pathological condition?

Answer 8

Atrial fibrillation

Question 9

Giant v waves are usually indicative of which pathological condition?

Answer 9

Tricuspid regurgitation