A comparison of jugular and central venous pressure measurements during anaesthesia.

Simultaneous measurements of the jugular and right atrial venous pressures were made in 16 patients undergoing cardiac and vascular surgery to see whether the jugular veins were a reliable guide to central venous pressure. It was found that with the chest closed both the external and internal jugular veins on the right side provided a good guide. The vessels on the left side were less consistent but still provided a fair guide. However, when the chest was open all the neck veins became unreliable measures of central venous pressure. Certain practical points in the use of these veins for recording venous pressure are considered.