CVP via Jugular veins

Q: Which of the following veins can be used to estimate jugular venous pressure (JVP) - select one

A) internal jugular (IJ) 

B) external jugular (EJ)

C) both

Answer: C

Traditionally, the IJ vein is used at the bedside to assess the volume status or Right Atrial Pressure clinically. It is larger in diameter, less tortuous, and has no valves.

However, despite its limitations, EJ should also be evaluated simultaneously as the pulsation of the external jugular vein is more easily seen, and inspection of this venous pulse alone has been shown to correlate with direct measurements made by a central venous catheter positioned in the right atrium.

#hemodynamic

Reference:

Vinayak AG, Levitt J, Gehlbach B, et al. Usefulness of the external jugular vein examination in detecting abnormal central venous pressure in critically ill patients. Arch Intern Med 2006; 166:2132.