The Utility of Handheld Ultrasound in the Management of Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Abstract

Assessment of the jugular venous pulsation (JVP) is a pivotal component of the clinical evaluation of heart failure patients, as it can be used as a proxy for right atrial pressure. In many patients, JVP assessment is particularly challenging, due to body habitus, anatomical variations, and the presence of tricuspid regurgitation. Use of a point-ofcare handheld ultrasound as an adjunct to the traditional physical exam can provide significant clinical utility in heart failure patients where volume status is uncertain. This paper highlights three clinical cases to support this claim, with accompanying images.