Wearable Accelerometer System for Jugular Venous Pulse Quantification: A Pilot Study

The jugular venous pulse (JVP) is an important physiological signal reflecting the right atrial dynamics. The gold standard approach of invasive central venous line catheterization is risky, limiting its application to critical care settings. Although the non-invasive approaches based on ultrasonography and photoplethysmography can be used for JVP measurement, reliable assessment demands operator expertise. This study explores the viability of utilizing a wearable accelerometer system for jugular venous pulse measurement. An in vivo pilot study was conducted on 15 healthy participants, and JVP signals were captured at a sampling rate of 165 Hz. The proposed system captures acceleration plethysmogram (APG) corresponding to jugular venous skin displacements. The JV-APG signal measurements were reliable, with an SNR greater than 25 dB. The captured JV-APG signals and JVP cycles exhibit quasi-periodic and repeatable characteristics (% CoV < 10%). Comparative analysis with the reference A-mode ultrasound system yielded a mean correlation of 0.84. While the prominent pulse contour markers (a, c, x’) were easily identifiable, reliable v and y marker detection was challenging in some participants. To our knowledge, this is the first use of a wearable accelerometer system for JVP measurements. Future advancements based on this technique can provide viable options for ambulatory and self-measurement-based cardiac health screening.