Heritability of the dimensions, compliance and distensibility of the human internal jugular vein wall

Abstract

AimsThe elasticity of the internal jugular vein (IJV) is a major determinant of cerebral venous drainage and right atrium venous return. However, the level of genetic determination of IJV dimensions, compliance and distensibility has not been studied yet.Methods170 adult Caucasian twins (43 monozygotic [MZ] and 42 dizygotic [DZ] pairs) were involved from the Italian twin registry. Anteroposterior and mediolateral diameters of the IJV were measured bilaterally by ultrasonography. Measurements were made both in the sitting and supine positions, with or without Valsalva maneuver. Univariate quantitative genetic modeling was performed.ResultsGenetic factors are responsible for 30–70% of the measured properties of IJV at higher venous pressure even after adjustment for age and gender. The highest level of inheritance was found in the supine position regarding compliance (62%) and venous diameter during Valsalva (69%). Environmental and measurement-related factors instead are more important in the sitting position, when the venous pressure is low and the venous lumen is almost collapsed. The range of capacity changes between the lowest and highest intraluminal venous pressure (full distension range) are mainly determined by genetic factors (58%).ConclusionsOur study has shown substantial heritability of IJV biomechanics at higher venous pressures even after adjustment for age and gender. These findings yield an important insight to what degree the geometric and elastic properties of the vascular wall are formed by genetic and by environmental factors in humans.

[1-11C]-Butanol Positron Emission Tomography reveals an impaired brain to nasal turbinates pathway in aging amyloid positive subjects

“…Of further interest, the PET research subjects were scanned in the supine position, which has been associated with a higher venous pressure in jugular veins than sitting position [ 70 ]. As such, the optimal position for human scanning remains unknown.…”

Ultrasound Assessment of Right Internal Jugular Vein Dimensions Following Passive Legs Elevation Versus Hepatic Compression

“…The result was similar to the mean BMI of patients who were enrolled by both Magnano et al 24 and Gok et al 14 which was in the same category around 26 kg/m 2 . Other studies were done on patients with a lower BMI like Yoon et al 25 and Tarnoki et al 11 , which was around 24 kg/m 2 , and Judickas et al 26 which was around 22 kg/m 2 . Although there was a significant statistical relationship between the BMI of the patients and achieving the maximal CSA of the right IJV and diameter, its effect on choosing different maneuvers in different studies is minimal, because this study and the aforementioned studies were performed on normal and overweight adult patients, and it was not a restriction to any of the procedures done 11,14,15,19,[24][25][26] .…”

“…Large veins have a greater distensibility and compliance within the physiological pressure range compared to arteries. This will help to keep venous pressure within the normal range 11,12 . The biomechanical properties of veins depend on age, gender, body mass, and body position which is affected by gravity.…”

“…The biomechanical properties of veins depend on age, gender, body mass, and body position which is affected by gravity. In the supine position, the intraluminal pressure of IJV steeply increases, and the distensibility of the venous wall decreases this will form most of the cerebral venous drainage in the majority of healthy subjects 11,12 . Changing to a sitting or upright position, IJV distensibility increases as the transmural pressure approaches 0 mmHg; consequently, IJV collapses and blood flow resistance raises.…”

“…Changing to a sitting or upright position, IJV distensibility increases as the transmural pressure approaches 0 mmHg; consequently, IJV collapses and blood flow resistance raises. In these positions, a larger part of the cerebral venous drainage is ensured by the vertebral venous system 11 . Even with the ultrasound guide, cannulation of the IJV can be challenging in; hypovolemic patients, those with an unstable cervical spine, a short thick neck, increased intracranial pressure, endstage renal disease, previous IJV cannulations, and/or intraluminal obstruction 13 .…”