Abstract 13758: Distension of the Upright Ultrasound Jugular Venous Pulse is Predictive of All-Cause Mortality in Patients Referred for Right Heart Catheterization

Abstract

Introduction: Bedside central venous pressure assessment is integral to diagnosing and managing heart failure (HF). A noninvasive point of care ultrasound (POCUS) assessment of the jugular venous pressure (uJVP) was validated as accurate in predicting elevated right atrial pressure (RAP) on right heart catheterization (RHC) in HF patients. A qualitative assessment of uJVP in the upright position (uuJVP) was found to be highly specific for detecting elevated RAP. We compared the prognostic value of the distended uuJVP and elevated RAP in predicting one-year mortality. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that a distended uuJVP was predictive of all-cause mortality. Methods: Adult patients undergoing RHC underwent uuJVP assessment with POCUS. A distended uuJVP was defined as internal jugular venous distention to at least the same size as the adjacent common carotid artery during resting inspiration and expiration (Figure 1c). Patients were examined upright at 90 degrees with their back/neck supported, and followed for one year after undergoing same day uuJVP assessment and RHC. Elevated RAP was defined as ≥10 mmHg on RHC. Kaplan Maier analysis of all-cause mortality was performed. Results: 100 patients had a uuJVP assessment prior to RHC. The distended uuJVP correlated with a mean RAP of 15 mmhg (8.3-17.1 mmHg) (Figure 1d) with a specificity of 94.6% for predicting RAP of ≥10 mmHg. Multivariate cox regression analysis showed that patients with a distended uuJVP had an increased one-year mortality (HR 3.20, 95% [CI 1.24- 8.20], p=.02) similar to those with RAP ≥10 mmHg by RHC (HR 3.21, 95% CI [1.20-8.64], p=.02) (Figure 1a/1b). Of 27 deaths, 11 (40.7%) had positive uuJVP with a specificity of 79.7%, 95% CI (69.2%-88%). Conclusions: The bedside distended uuJVP was similarly predictive of all-cause one-year mortality as elevated RAP by RHC. The clinical application of this simple, qualitative ultrasound estimate of RAP warrants further investigation.