What does the hepatojugular reflux test reflect?

The hepatojugular reflux test is a clinical assessment used to evaluate venous congestion in a patient. During this test, gentle pressure is applied to the abdomen, particularly over the liver, which leads to an increase in venous return to the heart. If there is adequate heart function, the jugular veins should not show a significant increase in distention; however, if there is heart failure or other forms of impaired cardiac function, this increase in venous return can lead to marked distention of the jugular veins, indicating that the heart is unable to accommodate the increased blood flow. This phenomenon illustrates the presence of venous congestion, which is commonly seen in patients with heart failure.

Understanding this relationship is important for healthcare professionals because it helps in diagnosing and managing conditions related to heart failure. Thus, the hepatojugular reflux is a valuable clinical tool for assessing the hemodynamic status of patients, specifically highlighting venous congestion rather than other conditions such as arterial congestion, normal blood volume, or increased cardiac output.