Central venous pressure (CVP) serves as a direct approximation of right atrial pressure and is influenced by factors like total blood volume, venous compliance, cardiac output, and orthostasis. Normal CVP falls within 8-12 mmHg but varies with volume status and venous compliance. Monitoring and managing disturbances in CVP are vital in patients with circulatory shock or fluid disturbances. Elevated CVP can lead to fluid accumulation in the interstitial space, impairing venous return and reducing cardiac preload. While pulmonary artery catheterization and central venous catheter obtained measurements are considered to be more accurate, they carry risk of complications and their usage has not shown clinical improvement. Ultrasound-based assessment of the internal jugular vein (IJV) offers real-time, non-invasive measurement of static and dynamic parameters for estimating CVP. IJV parameters, including diameter and ratio, has demonstrated good correlation with CVP. Despite significant advancements in non-invasive CVP measurement, a reliable tool is yet to be found. Present methods can offer reasonable guidance in assessing CVP, provided their limitations are acknowledged.

OBJECTIVE: To test the effectiveness of a novel wire-guided scalpel (Guideblade) to create a precise dermatotomy incision for central venous catheter (CVC) insertion.
METHODS: Prospective, nonrandomized interventional study.
METHODS: Stanford University, single-center teaching hospital.
METHODS: Cardiac and vascular surgical patients (n = 100) with planned CVC insertion for operation.
METHODS: A wire-guided scalpel was used during CVC insertion.
RESULTS: A total of 188 CVCs were performed successfully with a wire-guided scalpel without the need for additional equipment in 100 patients, and 94% of CVCs were accomplished with only a single dermatotomy attempt. \"No bleeding\" or \"minimal bleeding\" at the insertion site was observed in 90% of patients 30 minutes after insertion and 80.7% at the conclusion of surgery.
CONCLUSIONS: The wire-guided scalpel was effective in performing dermatotomy for CVC with a 100% success rate and a very high first-attempt rate. The wire-guided scalpel may decrease bleeding at the CVC insertion site.

This paper reports a case of an internal jugular venous malformation (IJVM) and route of treatment in a patient with limited symptoms. After history and imaging studies, a determination of surgical excision was made to rule out possible malignancy and future problems such as thrombosis. The mass was resected, and part of the IJVM was ligated. The mass had no identifiable malignancy, and the patient recovered fully with no complications. The paper highlights the importance of identifying venous malformations and highlights the reasoning behind the course of action.

Blood volume shifts during postural adjustment lead to irregular distension of the internal jugular vein (IJV). In microgravity, distension may contribute to flow stasis and thromboembolism, though the regional implications and associated risk remain unexplored. We characterized regional differences in IJV volume distension and flow complexity during progressive head-down tilt (HDT) (0°, -6°, -15°, -30°) using conventional ultrasound and vector flow imaging. We also evaluated low-pressure thigh cuffs (40 mmHg) as a fluid shifting countermeasure during -6° HDT. Total IJV volume expanded 139 ± 95% from supine position (4.6 ± 2.7 mL) to -30° HDT (10.3 ± 5.0 mL). Blood flow profiles had greater vector uniformity at the cranial IJV region (P < 0.01) and became more dispersed with increasing tilt (P < 0.01). Qualitatively, flow was more uniform throughout the IJV during its early flow cycle phase and more disorganized during late flow phase. This disorganized flow was accentuated closer to the vessel wall, near the caudal region, and during greater HDT. Low-pressure thigh cuffs during -6° HDT decreased IJV volume at the cranial region (-12 ± 15%; P < 0.01) but not the caudal region (P = 0.20), although flow uniformity was unchanged (both regions, P > 0.25). We describe a distensible IJV accommodating large volume shifts along its length. Prominent flow dispersion was primarily found at the caudal region, suggesting multidirectional blood flow. Thigh cuffs appear effective for decreasing IJV volume but effects on flow complexity are minor. Flow complexity along the vessel length is likely related to IJV distension during chronic volume shifting and may be a precipitating factor for flow stasis and future thromboembolism risk.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The internal jugular vein (IJV) facilitates cerebral outflow and is sensitive to volume shifts. Concerns about IJV expansion and fluid flow behavior in astronauts have surfaced following thromboembolism reports. Our study explored regional volume distension and blood flow complexity in the IJV during progressive volume shifting. We observed stepwise volume distension and increasing flow dispersion with head-down tilting across all regions. Flow dispersion may pose a risk of future thromboembolism during prolonged volume shifts.

We analyzed chemoport insertion procedures to evaluate infectious morbidity and factors causing infection. This single-center retrospective study included 1690 cases of chemoport implantation between January 2017 and December 2020. Overall, chemoports were inserted in 1582 patients. The average duration of chemoport use was 481 days (range 1-1794, median 309). Infections occurred in 80 cases (4.7%), with 0.098 per 1000 catheter-days. Among the 80 cases in which chemoports were removed because of suspected infection, bacteria were identified in 48 (60%). Significantly more cases of left internal jugular vein punctures were noted in the infected group (15 [18.8%] vs. 147 [9.1%]; p = 0.004). Pulmonary embolism was significantly different between the infection groups (3 [3.8%] vs. 19 (1.2%), p = 0.048). The hazard ratio was 2.259 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.288-3.962) for the left internal jugular vein, 3.393 (95% CI 1.069-10.765) for pulmonary embolism, and 0.488 (95% CI 0.244-0.977) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Using the right internal jugular vein rather than the left internal jugular vein when performing chemoport insertion might reduce subsequent infections.

The preservation of the spinal accessory nerve represents a key goal in head and neck oncologic surgery during selective neck dissection. This study aims to illustrate the anatomical variants of the XI cranial nerve, delving into the relationship between the spinal nerve and the internal jugular vein, as well as the surgical implications. Two cases of patients who underwent oncologic surgery with neck dissection are described. Both cases found the spinal accessory nerve passing through the fenestration of the internal jugular vein. Alongside this case series, an independent literature review was conducted using the Medline and PubMed databases. In the majority of cases (67% - 96%), the spinal accessory nerve traces a lateral course to the internal jugular vein. Less frequently, the XI cranial nerve courses medial to the internal jugular vein. More rarely, as described in this case series, the nerve crosses through the fenestration of the vein (0.48% - 3.3%).

Usually, the external jugular vein (EJV) is located superficially over the sternocleidomastoid muscle and joins the subclavian vein or the venous angle. The internal jugular vein (IJV) lies deeply in close relation with the common carotid artery and vagus nerve, enveloped by the carotid sheath. Normally, there is no direct connection between those vessels. During a routine neck dissection, we found a rare anastomosis between IJV and EJV. The anastomosis was localized on the level of the cricoid cartilage. It was approximately 1 cm long, with the diameter of the lumen being 0.3 cm. There was no obstruction along the length of the vessel. The direction was oblique and followed the blood flow from IJV to EJV. The observed variation has high clinical importance related to numerous procedures executed in the neck region, such as placement of hemodialysis catheter in patients with renal failure, insertion of central venous line in the care of critically ill patients, and radical neck dissections.

The internal jugular vein (IJV) is occasionally used for blood access during catheter ablation. Additionally, accidental injury of the vertebral artery during an IJV puncture is a rare complication that can result in catastrophic events, such as death. However, vascular access complications cannot be completely prevented despite the introduction of ultrasound-guided punctures. Here, we present a case of a patient with symptomatic paroxysmal atrial fibrillation that required catheter ablation.

During spaceflight, fluids shift headward, causing internal jugular vein (IJV) distension and altered hemodynamics, including stasis and retrograde flow, that may increase the risk of thrombosis. This study\'s purpose was to determine the effects of acute exposure to weightlessness (0-G) on IJV dimensions and flow dynamics. We used two-dimensional (2-D) ultrasound to measure IJV cross-sectional area (CSA) and Doppler ultrasound to characterize venous blood flow patterns in the right and left IJV in 13 healthy participants (6 females) while 1) seated and supine on the ground, 2) supine during 0-G parabolic flight, and 3) supine during level flight (at 1-G). On Earth, in 1-G, moving from seated to supine posture increased CSA in both left (+62 [95% CI: +42 to 81] mm2, P < 0.0001) and right (+86 [95% CI: +58 to 113] mm2, P < 0.00012) IJV. Entry into 0-G further increased IJV CSA in both left (+27 [95% CI: +5 to 48] mm2, P = 0.02) and right (+30 [95% CI: +0.3 to 61] mm2, P = 0.02) relative to supine in 1-G. We observed stagnant flow in the left IJV of one participant during 0-G parabolic flight that remained during level flight but was not present during any imaging during preflight measures in the seated or supine postures; normal venous flow patterns were observed in the right IJV during all conditions in all participants. Alterations to cerebral outflow dynamics in the left IJV can occur during acute exposure to weightlessness and thus, may increase the risk of venous thrombosis during any duration of spaceflight.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The absence of hydrostatic pressure gradients in the vascular system and loss of tissue weight during weightlessness results in altered flow dynamics in the left internal jugular vein in some astronauts that may contribute to an increased risk of thromboembolism during spaceflight. Here, we report that the internal jugular veins distend bilaterally in healthy participants and that flow stasis can occur in the left internal jugular vein during acute weightlessness produced by parabolic flight.

Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) of the internal jugular vein (IJV) offers a non-invasive means of estimating right atrial pressure (RAP), especially in cases where the inferior vena cava is inaccessible or unreliable due to conditions such as liver disease or abdominal surgery. While many clinicians are familiar with visually assessing jugular venous pressure through the internal jugular vein, this method lacks sensitivity. The utilization of POCUS significantly enhances the visualization of the vein, leading to a more accurate identification. It has been demonstrated that combining IJV POCUS with physical examination enhances the specificity of RAP estimation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of the various sonographic techniques available for estimating RAP from the internal jugular vein, drawing upon existing data.