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jugular venous distension (JVD)

Distension of the jugular vein. Normally the jugular veins are not visible when the patient is sitting up. Etiology: 1) biventricular failure 2) constrictive pericarditis 3) pericardial tamponade 4) restrictive cardiomyopathy 5) cor pulmonale (especially pulmonary embolus) 6) superior vena cava obstruction 7) thyromegaly Pathology: 1) secondary to increased central venous pressure & right-sided heart failure 2) pressure from an enlarged thyroid gland may distend neck veins

Related

jugular venous pressure Kussmaul's sign

General

sign/symptom

References

  1. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed. Companion Handbook, Isselbacher et al (eds), McGraw-Hill Inc. NY, 1995, pg 326
  2. Mayo Internal Medicine Board Review, 1998-99, Prakash UBS (ed) Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, 1998, pg 37