External Jugular Venous Pressure versus Central Venous Pressure Measurement as a Clinical Predictor among Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturers of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

2 Assistant Prof of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Tanta University, Egypt

3 Prof of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt

4 Prof of Anesthesia, Surgical Intensive Care and Pain Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Continuous changes in central venous pressure monitoring among critically ill
patients was allied to fluid response. External jugular venous pressure may be a reliable
estimation method to central venous pressure and have the advantages of being less invasive.
Setting: This study was conducted at the anesthesia Intensive Care Unit at Emergency Hospital
affiliated to Tanta University Hospitals, Egypt. The aim of the study was to estimate external
jugular venous pressure versus central venous pressure measurement as a clinical predictor
among critically ill mechanically ventilated patients Method: A prospective comparative study
design was utilized in the current study. A purposive sample of 30 adults mechanically
ventilated patients was included in this study. Two tools were utilized to collect data: Tool (I):
Mechanically ventilated patient assessment and Tool II: Central venous pressure and External
jugular venous pressure assessment. Results: It was observed that there was a highly positive
and significant correlation between central venous pressure and external jugular venous
pressure reading r= 0.813 and p=0,000. Conclusions: External jugular venous pressure
measurement represented a real value of central venous pressure. A positive statistical
correlation between central venous pressure and external jugular venous pressure
measurements seems to be a reliable method to differentiate mechanically ventilated patients
with high or low central venous pressure monitoring. Recommendations: Measurement of
external jugular venous pressure should be integrated within the critically ill patient's routine
care Measurement. Also Measuring central venous pressure may be replaced with external
jugularvenous pressure (EJVP) when indicated. Further studies will be needed to confirm
reliability of the EJVP on a larger probability sample.

Keywords