Cardiovascular physiology: CVP waveform

Jugular venous pressure (JVP) may be assessed clinically and gives the clinician information regarding the patient's central venous pressure (CVP) during the cardiac cycle.

The normal CVP waveform has 3 positive deflections or waves (a, c, v) and 2 descents (x, y):

• The 'a' wave occurs during contraction of the right atrium
• The 'c' wave occurs during early ventricular contraction due to the tricuspid valve bulging in to the right atrium. It corresponds to isovolumetric contraction of the right ventricle
• The 'v' wave is due to an increase in atrial pressure before opening of the tricuspid valve. It corresponds to atrial filling
• The 'x' descent is due to relaxation of the atrium
• The 'y' descent happens during the emptying of the right atria and rapid filling of the right ventricle