Intensive Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation Review and Registry Preparation 2018

Comprehensive RPVI Board Review & Advanced Vascular Ultrasound Training

Overview

Intensive Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation Review and Registry Preparation 2018 is a comprehensive board review and vascular ultrasound training program developed by the Cleveland Clinic. Designed by experts from the Cleveland Clinic Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory and nationally recognized vascular educators, this intensive course provides a complete review of vascular laboratory diagnostics, duplex ultrasound interpretation, vascular physiology, and registry examination preparation.

The program delivers a head-to-toe review of arterial, venous, cerebrovascular, abdominal, and specialized vascular ultrasound examinations while emphasizing practical interpretation skills and preparation for the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) and other vascular credentialing examinations.

Through lectures, interactive case reviews, mock examinations, and question-and-answer sessions, participants gain the knowledge required to confidently diagnose vascular disease and improve vascular laboratory performance.

Course Specifications

Format

• Video Lectures
• Interactive Case Reviews
• Mock Registry Examinations
• Board Review Sessions
• CME Course

Course Year

2018

Educational Level

Intermediate to Advanced

Specialty

Vascular Ultrasound & Vascular Medicine

Organizer

Cleveland Clinic

Learning Objectives

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

• Understand the physical principles of vascular ultrasound.
• Apply Doppler physics in clinical vascular imaging.
• Recognize common imaging artifacts and pitfalls.
• Interpret arterial and venous duplex examinations.
• Diagnose carotid artery stenosis using accepted criteria.
• Identify acute and chronic venous thrombosis.
• Assess venous insufficiency and valvular incompetence.
• Evaluate peripheral arterial disease using physiologic testing.
• Diagnose renal and mesenteric artery stenosis.
• Understand transcranial Doppler applications.
• Prepare effectively for RPVI and vascular registry examinations.

Core Topics Covered

Ultrasound Physics and Instrumentation

A foundational section focused on the physics underlying vascular imaging.

Topics Include

• Ultrasound Principles
• B-Mode Imaging
• Spectral Doppler
• Continuous Wave Doppler
• Pulsed Wave Doppler
• Color Doppler
• Power Doppler
• Doppler Equation
• Poiseuille’s Law
• Instrumentation Fundamentals

Participants learn the scientific principles essential for accurate image acquisition and interpretation.

Carotid and Cerebrovascular Ultrasound

Comprehensive instruction on extracranial cerebrovascular evaluation.

Topics Include

• Carotid Duplex Examination
• Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis Criteria
• Vertebral Artery Assessment
• Subclavian Artery Evaluation
• Subclavian Steal Syndrome
• Post-Carotid Endarterectomy Assessment
• Carotid Stent Surveillance
• Interpretation Pitfalls

Special emphasis is placed on evidence-based diagnostic criteria and real-world case interpretation.

Peripheral Arterial Testing

Detailed review of arterial disease evaluation.

Topics Include

• Lower Extremity Physiologic Testing
• Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)
• Segmental Pressures
• Pulse Volume Recordings
• Exercise Testing
• Peripheral Artery Disease Assessment

Participants learn how physiologic testing complements duplex ultrasound findings.

Arterial Duplex Ultrasound

Topics Include

• Native Artery Evaluation
• Femoropopliteal Disease
• Tibial Vessel Assessment
• Bypass Graft Surveillance
• Peripheral Arterial Stent Evaluation
• Hemodynamic Interpretation

Practical case reviews reinforce interpretation skills.

Upper Extremity Vascular Studies

Topics Include

• Upper Extremity Arterial Duplex
• Physiologic Testing
• Thoracic Outlet Considerations
• Upper Extremity Occlusive Disease

Abdominal Vascular Ultrasound

Comprehensive review of abdominal vascular imaging.

Topics Include

• Renal Artery Duplex Ultrasound
• Renal Artery Stenosis
• Renal Transplant Evaluation
• Renal Artery Stent Surveillance
• Mesenteric Artery Duplex
• Mesenteric Ischemia
• Mesenteric Stent Evaluation

Participants learn accepted diagnostic criteria and interpretation techniques.

Aortic Imaging

Topics Include

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
• Aortic Endograft Surveillance
• Endoleak Detection
• Post-EVAR Assessment

Special attention is given to post-procedural follow-up.

Hepatoportal Ultrasound

Topics Include

• Portal Vein Assessment
• Hepatic Artery Evaluation
• Hepatic Vein Examination
• Liver Transplant Surveillance

Venous Ultrasound

A major component of the course.

Topics Include

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
• Upper Extremity DVT
• Lower Extremity DVT
• Acute vs Chronic Thrombosis
• Venous Compression Techniques
• Venous Reflux Testing
• Venous Insufficiency
• Varicose Vein Evaluation

Participants learn to identify and characterize venous pathology accurately.

Endovenous Therapy Assessment

Topics Include

• EVLT Mapping
• Radiofrequency Ablation Planning
• Endothermal Heat-Induced Thrombosis (EHIT)
• Post-Treatment Surveillance

Non-Vascular Incidental Findings

An important section often overlooked in vascular education.

Topics Include

• Soft Tissue Findings
• Lymph Nodes
• Masses
• Unexpected Pathology

Participants learn clinically significant incidental findings encountered during vascular examinations.

Advanced and Specialized Applications

Arterial Access Complications

Topics Include

• Pseudoaneurysms
• Arteriovenous Fistulas
• Arterial Dissections
• Closure Device Complications

Dialysis Access Ultrasound

Topics Include

• Preoperative Mapping
• AV Fistula Evaluation
• AV Graft Surveillance
• Access Dysfunction

Transcranial Doppler (TCD)

Topics Include

• Intracranial Hemodynamics
• Cerebrovascular Disease
• Embolic Monitoring
• TCD Interpretation Basics

Registry Examination Preparation

A unique strength of this program.

Includes

• Mock RPVI Examinations
• Physics Review Sessions
• Case-Based Questions
• Interactive Board Review
• Registry-Test Strategies

The curriculum is specifically structured to improve performance on vascular registry examinations.

Educational Features

Expert Faculty

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

Interactive Case Reviews

Real-world cases reinforce diagnostic accuracy and interpretation confidence.

Comprehensive Coverage

Covers virtually every major vascular ultrasound examination performed in clinical practice.

Registry-Focused Learning

Designed specifically to prepare participants for RPVI and related credentialing examinations.

Target Audience

Physicians

• Vascular Medicine Specialists
• Vascular Surgeons
• Cardiologists
• Interventional Radiologists
• Nephrologists

Sonographers

• Vascular Sonographers
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographers
• Cardiac Sonographers

Allied Health Professionals

• Vascular Technologists
• Radiologic Technologists
• Physician Assistants
• Nurses

Trainees

• Residents
• Fellows
• Students Preparing for Registry Certification

Why This Course Stands Out

Complete Vascular Ultrasound Curriculum

Covers cerebrovascular, arterial, venous, abdominal, dialysis access, and transcranial Doppler studies.

Registry Exam Focus

One of the most comprehensive RPVI preparation resources available.

Strong Clinical Relevance

Emphasizes real-world interpretation skills rather than theory alone.

Extensive Case-Based Learning

Interactive reviews improve diagnostic confidence and pattern recognition.

Cleveland Clinic Expertise

Developed and taught by experts from one of the world’s leading vascular laboratories.