A Pilot Observational Cohort Study to Investigate the Effect of Valsalva Maneuver on Internal Jugular Venous Diameter.

Valsalva maneuver (VM) is a technique widely used for acute elevation of blood pressure in humans. It has potential applications in cardiac health prediction and is also a diagnostic tool in cardiovascular, neurology and ENT screening. The jugular venous (JV) diameter increases during the VM procedure and hence it has been widely used to aid central venous catheterization in medical units. In this pilot study, we have quantified the variation in JV diameter response to VM across young and middle-aged populations. The study was conducted on a cohort of 16 males and 11 females, where the JV diameter in baseline, during and post VM intervention were acquired using a B-mode imaging system. The JV diameter measurements were within the ranges specified in earlier literature. The beat-to-beat variability in baseline diameter measurements was found to be between 8% to 20%. In younger population, the average maximum JV diameter during baseline was found to be 9.25 ± 2.61 mm and in middle-aged population it was 12.49 ± 2.65 mm. The average maximum JV diameter in young and middle-aged population during VM was 11.66 ± 2.74 mm and 16.73 ± 3.28 mm respectively. The study findings suggested a statistically significant variation (p < 0.05) between the JV diameter responses from young and middle-aged populations. The JV distensibility decreased significantly during VM in younger cohort (-35%) in comparison with the minimal changes observed in middle-aged population. The study demonstrates the variation in JV diameter and distensibility to VM in young and middle-aged populations.Clinical Relevance- This pilot study reveals the variations in JV diameter in response to VM intervention in young and middle-aged groups which has potential utility in assessing age dependent changes in vasculature.