Harvard Clinical Approach to Vascular Ultrasound and Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) Prep Course 2024

Comprehensive Vascular Ultrasound Training and RPVI Board Preparation

Overview

Harvard Clinical Approach to Vascular Ultrasound and Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) Prep Course 2024 is a comprehensive educational program designed to provide physicians with a strong foundation in both the performance and interpretation of vascular ultrasound studies while preparing for the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) examination.

Developed in collaboration with vascular laboratory leaders from Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Stanford University Hospital, University of Colorado Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Hospital, this intensive course combines vascular ultrasound theory, clinical interpretation, practical case studies, RPVI-focused review sessions, and vascular laboratory development strategies.

Participants gain the knowledge necessary to perform and interpret vascular laboratory examinations, prepare for RPVI certification, and establish high-quality vascular ultrasound programs within their own institutions.

Course Highlights

Comprehensive RPVI Preparation

Focused review of high-yield topics commonly tested on the RPVI examination.

Practical Case-Based Learning

Real-world case presentations reinforce diagnostic interpretation skills and clinical decision-making.

Expert Faculty

Instruction from nationally recognized leaders in vascular medicine, vascular surgery, ultrasound technology, and vascular laboratory management.

Vascular Laboratory Development

Unique sessions covering the medical and technical aspects of building and managing a vascular laboratory program.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Interpret arterial and venous vascular ultrasound studies.
• Apply velocity criteria to grade vascular stenosis.
• Understand vascular ultrasound physics and instrumentation.
• Evaluate cerebrovascular, peripheral, and abdominal vascular disease.
• Interpret dialysis access studies and bypass graft surveillance examinations.
• Assess venous insufficiency and venous thrombosis.
• Utilize transcranial Doppler in cerebrovascular evaluation.
• Prepare effectively for the RPVI examination.
• Develop and implement a vascular ultrasound laboratory program.

Core Topics Covered

Vascular Ultrasound Physics

Topics Include

• Ultrasound Fundamentals
• Doppler Principles
• Spectral Doppler Analysis
• Color Flow Imaging
• Velocity Measurements
• Physics Concepts for RPVI

Participants build the foundational knowledge necessary for accurate vascular interpretation.

Ultrasound Equipment and Instrumentation

Topics Include

• Machine Optimization
• Image Quality Improvement
• Doppler Settings
• Artifact Recognition
• Technical Troubleshooting

Peripheral Arterial Testing

Upper Extremity Arterial Studies

Topics Include:

• Upper Extremity Arterial Duplex
• Physiologic Testing
• Arterial Occlusive Disease
• Hemodynamic Assessment

Lower Extremity Arterial Studies

Topics Include:

• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)
• Duplex Ultrasound Evaluation
• Physiologic Testing
• Severity Assessment

Abdominal Vascular Ultrasound

Topics Include

• Abdominal Aorta Assessment
• Aneurysm Surveillance
• Endovascular Aortic Repair Follow-Up
• Visceral Artery Evaluation

Renal and Mesenteric Duplex Ultrasound

Topics Include

• Renal Artery Stenosis
• Mesenteric Ischemia
• Velocity Criteria
• Diagnostic Interpretation

Cerebrovascular Ultrasound

Carotid Duplex Ultrasonography

Topics Include:

• Carotid Artery Disease
• Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis
• Velocity Criteria
• Plaque Assessment

Vertebral and Subclavian Artery Evaluation

Topics Include:

• Vertebral Artery Disease
• Subclavian Stenosis
• Subclavian Steal Syndrome

Transcranial Doppler (TCD)

Topics Include

• Intracranial Circulation
• Cerebrovascular Assessment
• TCD Interpretation
• Clinical Applications

High-Yield RPVI Examination Review

Topics Include

• Frequently Tested Pathologies
• Interpretation Pearls
• Examination Strategies
• Board Preparation Techniques

Dedicated sessions focus on maximizing RPVI examination success.

Bypass Graft Surveillance

Topics Include

• Lower Extremity Bypass Grafts
• Surveillance Protocols
• Graft Failure Detection
• Hemodynamic Assessment

Endovascular Stent Graft Surveillance

Topics Include

• EVAR Follow-Up
• Aortic Endograft Evaluation
• Endoleak Detection
• Long-Term Monitoring

Dialysis Access Ultrasound

Topics Include

• AV Fistula Assessment
• AV Graft Evaluation
• Access Surveillance
• Case Presentations

Pedal Access Evaluation

Topics Include

• Distal Arterial Access
• Ultrasound Guidance
• Endovascular Applications

Venous Ultrasound

Venous Insufficiency

Topics Include:

• Venous Reflux
• Office-Based Venous Procedures
• Chronic Venous Disease

Venous Thrombosis

Topics Include:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Venous Obstruction
• Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
• Diagnostic Protocols

Interactive Case Presentations

Cases Include

• Venous Ultrasound Cases
• Carotid Disease Cases
• Peripheral Artery Disease Cases
• Aortic Endograft Cases
• TCD Cases
• Vertebral and Subclavian Disease Cases

These sessions emphasize practical application of vascular laboratory interpretation skills.

Building a Vascular Ultrasound Laboratory

A unique component rarely covered in traditional RPVI review courses.

Topics Include

• Medical Director Responsibilities
• Technical Director Responsibilities
• Accreditation Standards
• Quality Assurance
• Workflow Development
• Laboratory Operations

Target Audience

Physicians

• Vascular Surgeons
• Vascular Medicine Specialists
• Cardiologists
• Interventional Cardiologists
• Interventional Radiologists
• Neurologists
• Internal Medicine Physicians
• Family Medicine Physicians

Advanced Practice Providers

• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants

Trainees

• Vascular Fellows
• Cardiology Fellows
• Vascular Surgery Fellows
• Residents Preparing for RPVI Certification

Why This Course Stands Out

• Comprehensive RPVI board preparation.
• Covers the full spectrum of vascular ultrasound interpretation.
• Extensive case-based learning.
• Faculty from leading academic vascular centers.
• Includes vascular laboratory development and management training.
• Practical focus on both examination performance and clinical application.