The relationship of the jugular “C” wave to changing diastolic intervals

Abstract

To determine the relationship of the jugular C wave to changing cycle length, jugular pulse and right atrial pressure recordings were examined on a group of patients with various types of heart disease and atrial fibrillation. The total height of the jugular C wave was noted to be enhanced by short cycles and diminished with longer cycles. This finding is confirmed with intra-atrial pressure recordings. It is suggested that the jugular C wave is related to tricuspid leaflet excursion and closure; in that with a short diastolic interval the leaflets are widely separated at the onset of systole and have a relatively large closure excursion. These findings are not consistent with the hypothesis of arterial origin of the C wave since the arterial pulse would be expected to increase with longer cycles.