Physicians’ Vascular Interpretation Examination Content Outline

Tests prior to October 1, 2021:

(Outline Summary)

# Domain Subdomain Percentage
1 Cerebrovascular Extracranial Carotid
Intracranial Carotid
15%
2 Abdominal Aortoiliac
Liver
Mesenteric
Renal
15%
3 Peripheral Arterial – Duplex Imaging Bypass Graft
Dialysis Access
Interpretation of Duplex Imaging
Postoperative Endovascular Intervention
15%
4 Peripheral Arterial – Physiologic Ankle Brachial Index/Pulse Volume Recording
Digital Evaluation
20%
5 Peripheral Venous Vein Mapping
Venous Thrombosis/Obstruction
Venous Insufficiency Testing
20%
6 Laboratory Technology and Operations Patient Care
Physics and Instrumentation
Quality Assurance
15%

(Detailed Outline)

1. Cerebrovascular 15% Knowledge and/or skill of the cerebrovascular system
1.A. Extracranial Carotid
1.A.1. Interpret extracranial carotid exams Knowledge of normal vascular anatomy
Knowledge of blood pressure, flow, and regulation of vascular resistance
Knowledge of fluid dynamics, laminar and turbulent flow, fluid energy, and effects of stenosis
Knowledge of anatomic variants
Knowledge of incidental findings
Knowledge of pathologic anatomy
Apply velocity criteria for grading stenosis of the extracranial and intracranial portions of the cerebrovascular circulation
Understand the physiology of the cerebral vascular bed
Incorporate patient-specific anatomy and understand its
impact on diagnostic conclusion
Apply transcranial Doppler diagnostic criteria for brain death, vasospasm, arterial venous malformation, and
emboli detection
Modify diagnosis of vertebral artery disease based on
waveform analysis
Identify findings for planning operations or interventions
Recognize nonatherosclerotic vascular disease
Discriminate normal post-operative/intervention changes
Knowledge of sickle cell anemia diagnostic criteria
1.A.2. Assess carotid vessels after intervention,
(i.e., carotid endarterectomy or stent)
1.A.3. Assess the effect of contralateral disease
1.A.4. Include plaque description when
interpreting exams
1.A.5 Grade stenosis other than bulb/internal carotid artery, (i.e., common carotid
artery, external carotid artery,
vertebral artery and subclavian artery)
1.A.6. Comment on incidental findings
1.A.7. Incorporate cardiac disease impact on
carotid waveforms
1.A.8. Assess nonatherosclerotic vascular disease
1.B. Intracranial Carotid
1.B.1. Interpret intracranial carotid exams
2. Abdominal 15% Knowledge and /or skill of the abdominal system
2.A. Aortoiliac
2.A.1. Evaluate aneurysmal disease Knowledge of normal vascular anatomy
Knowledge of blood pressure, flow, and regulation of
vascular resistance
Knowledge of fluid dynamics, laminar and turbulent
flow, fluid energy, and effects of stenosis
Modify interpretation post-intervention
Knowledge of anatomic variants
Knowledge of incidental findings
Knowledge of pathologic anatomy
Knowledge of the effects of fasting on superior
mesenteric artery stenosis
Recognize nonatherosclerotic vascular disease
Recognize abnormal blood flow patterns using
waveform analysis
Understand Doppler principles
Understand the physiology of the internal organ
circulation and hepatoportal venous system
Apply velocity criteria for grading stenosis
Calculate and understand waveform indices, e.g., resistive indices
Modify diagnosis based on patient comorbidities
Understand the role and limitations of contrast agents
Understand the normal and abnormal flow patterns
associated with renal allografts
2.A.2. Interpret aortoiliac ultrasound studies
2.A.3. Evaluate occlusive disease
2.A.4. Interpret post-endovascular aneurysm repair ultrasound studies
2.A.5. Use color Doppler for evaluation of endoleaks
2.A.6. Use power Doppler for evaluation of endoleaks
2.B. Liver
2.B.1. Interpret hepatoportal studies
2.C. Mesenteric
2.C.1. Interpret mesenteric ultrasound studies
2.C.2. Use modified criteria for post-stent evaluation
2.C.3. Interpret testing for celiac compression
2.D. Renal
2.D.1. Use renal-aortic ratio to grade stenosis
2.D.2 Use velocity criteria to grade stenosis
2.D.3 Report on resistive indices
2.D.4. Interpret renal ultrasound studies
2.D.5. Assess renal allografts
3. Peripheral Arterial - Duplex Imaging 15% Knowledge and /or skill of the peripheral arterial system-duplex imaging
3.A. Bypass Graft
3.A.1. Apply a criteria for evaluating stenosis Knowledge of normal vascular anatomy
Knowledge of blood pressure, flow, and regulation of
vascular resistance
Knowledge of fluid dynamics, laminar and turbulent
flow, fluid energy, and effects of stenosis
Knowledge of anatomic variants
Knowledge of arterial steals
Knowledge of bypass grafts, stents and percutaneous
angioplasty
Knowledge of incidental findings
Knowledge of pathologic anatomy
Understand the normal and abnormal flow patterns
associated with dialysis access
Knowledge of aneurysm and pseudoaneurysm
Knowledge of ultrasound guidance during a procedure
Knowledge velocity criteria for grading stenosis
Understand Doppler principles
Understand provocative maneuvers
Understand entrapment syndromes
3.A.2. Image native circulation above and below bypass graft
3.A.3. Interpret surveillance of bypass graft with vein conduit
3.A.4. Interpret surveillance of stents
3.A.5. Interpret surveillance of bypass graft with prosthetic conduit
3.B. Dialysis Access
3.B.1. Interpret venous mapping for pre-dialysis
access
3.B.2. Evaluate for access problems
3.B.3. Interpret arterial exams for pre-dialysis access
3.B.4. Evaluate existing access before and after intervention
3.B.5. Evaluate central veins
3.B.6. Evaluate arteriovenous access for
aneurysms
3.B.7. Interpret access surveillance
3.B.8 Use volume flow measurements
3.C. Interpretation of Duplex Imaging
3.C.1. Interpret peripheral arterial ultrasound
studies
3.C.2. Apply velocity criteria to grade stenosis
3.C.3. Assess for peripheral arterial aneurysms
3.C.4. Treat pseudoaneurysms in the vascular laboratory
3.C.5. Assess for arterial trauma
3.C.6. Use a protocol for provocative maneuvers to assess for popliteal artery entrapment
3.D. Postoperative Endovascular Intervention
3.D.1. Image native circulation above and below intervention
3.D.2. Apply velocity criteria for stenosis/restenosis
3.D.3. Use protocols that are modified to assess the stented vessel
3.D.4. Use ultrasound guidance during
procedures
3.D.5. Assess for stent fracture
4. Peripheral Arterial - Physiologic 20% Knowledge and /or skill of the peripheral arterial
system-physiologic
4.A. Ankle Brachial Index/Pulse Volume Recording
4.A.1. Report the level of disease Understand the use of photoplethysmography (PPG),
plethysmography, and laser Doppler
Knowledge of TcPo2 testing
Knowledge of methods of pressure measurement and
their limitations
Understand entrapment syndromes
Understand qualitative Doppler waveform analysis
Understand quantitative Doppler waveform analysis
Knowledge of arterial steals
Modify interpretation based on patient comorbidities
Knowledge of provocative maneuvers (i.e., exercise,
thoracic outlet and cold immersion)
4.A.2. Interpret qualitative Doppler waveform
analysis
4.A.3. Interpret segmental pressure studies
4.A.4. Interpret quantitative Doppler waveform
analysis
4.A.5. Interpret pulse volume recordings
4.A.6. Interpret exercise studies
4.B. Digital Evaluation
4.B.1. Interpret toe pressures
4.B.2. Interpret finger pressures to evaluate for
arterial steal
4.B.3. Evaluate for thoracic outlet syndrome
4.B.4. Interpret Raynaud disease testing
4.B.5. Interpret transcutaneous oxygen tension
(TcPo2) testing
5. Peripheral Venous 20% Knowledge and /or skill of the peripheral venous system
5.A. Vein Mapping
5.A.1. Comment on compressibility of the veins Knowledge of normal vascular anatomy
Knowledge of venous hemodynamics and flow, and
effects of intravascular and extravascular processes
Knowledge of anatomic variants
Knowledge of incidental findings
Knowledge of pathologic anatomy
Knowledge of venous insufficiency and reflux
Knowledge of photoplethysmography (PPG) to identify
venous insufficiency
Venous testing after intervention
Knowledge of positioning to assess venous reflux
Knowledge of superficial and deep venous systems
perforating veins
Knowledge of lymphatic system
Knowledge of ultrasound guidance during a procedure
Understand Doppler principles
Understand provocative maneuvers
Understand entrapment syndromes
5.A.2. Report on vein diameter
5.A.3. Comment on anatomic variants
5.A.4. Interpret venous ultrasound studies
5.B. Venous Thrombosis/Obstruction
5.B.1. Assess for deep vein thrombosis
5.B.2. Assess for anatomic variants
5.B.3. Examine for nonthrombotic venous
compression
5.B.4. Assess waveforms for cardiac
comorbidities
5.B.5. Assess waveforms for central venous
obstruction
5.B.6. Routinely examine the inferior vena cava
and iliac veins
5.C. Venous Insufficiency Testing
5.C.1. Assess for superficial venous reflux
5.C.2. Assess for deep venous incompetence
5.C.3. Assess for perforating veins
5.C.4. Assess for superficial venous thrombus
6. Laboratory Technology and Operations 15% Knowledge and /or skill of laboratory technology and
operations
6.A. Patient Care
6.A.1. Address patient safety issues Ability to recognize artifacts
Correlate information with previous tests
Knowledge of advanced imaging techniques, (i.e.,
harmonics and spatial compounding)
Knowledge of ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable)
principles and bioeffects
Knowledge of continuous wave, pulsed wave, and Bmode imaging
Knowledge of contrast agents
Knowledge of Doppler principles
Knowledge of patient satisfaction surveys,
reimbursement and hospital experience
Knowledge of quality assurance programs
Knowledge of ultrasound principles
Ability to provide direct feedback to technical staff on
the quality of images/data presented
Knowledge to select the appropriate transducer for the
exam
Understand patient care, procedural planning, and
outcome assessment
Understand report generation and PACS
Understand the indications for vascular lab testing and
reporting standards
Understand the use of specificity, sensitivity, predictive
value, and accuracy calculations and comparison with
a referenced standard
Understand vascular lab accreditation and requirements
Ensure appropriate indications
Recognize and communicate critical findings to referring
physician
Assess agreement between preliminary and final reports
6.A.2. Collect and evaluate patient satisfaction
scores
6.B. Physics and Instrumentation
6.B.1. Identify Doppler waveform characteristics
6.B.2. Recognize artifacts
6.B.3. Apply color Doppler principles
6.B.4. Apply pulsed wave Doppler principles
6.B.5. Apply continuous wave Doppler principles
6.B.6. Apply power Doppler principles
6.B.7. Implement a preventative maintenance
program
6.B.8. Interpret and obtain video images
6.B.9. Use ultrasound contrast agents
6.C. Quality Assurance
6.C.1. Implement a quality assurance program
6.C.2. Participate in regular quality assurance
6.C.3. Determine percent accuracy

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