The differential diagnoses of SVC syndrome include cardiac tamponade and right ventricular dysfunction. Dedicated cardiac imaging with echocardiography can distinguish between these diagnoses.

Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD The inferior vena cava (also known as IVC or the posterior vena cava) is a large vein that carries oxygen-depleted blood from the torso and lower body to ...

Jugular vein distention (JVD) causes a bulge in the veins running down the right side of a person’s neck. It results from increased pressure in a large vein called the vena cava. JVD can signify ...