Cannon a waves

Cannon a waves are waves seen occasionally in the jugular vein of humans with certain cardiac arrhythmias. When the atria and ventricles contract simultaneously, or when the right atrium contracts against a closed tricuspid valve, the blood will be pushed against the AV valve, and a very large retrograde pressure wave travels up the jugular vein^[1][2].

The following may be present:

• Cough
• Headache
• Jaw pain

This wave will cause pulsation in the neck and abdomen.

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• Complete heart block^[3]
• Junctional rhythms
• Pacemaker syndrome
• Pulmonary hypertension^[4]
• Ventricular tachycardia

CME Category::Cardiology