jugular venous pressure (redirected from Jugular vein distension)

jugular venous pressure (JVP),

blood pressure in the jugular vein, which reflects the volume and pressure of venous blood. JVP is estimated by positioning the head of a supine patient at a 30- to 45-degree angle and observing the neck veins. If the neck veins are filled only to a point a few millimeters above the clavicle at the end of exhalation, JVP is usually normal. With an elevated JVP the neck veins may be distended as high as the angle of the jaw. An elevated JVP is typically a sign of congestive heart failure.