For the PVI examination, physicians currently practicing in vascular laboratories were invited to respond to a detailed survey of current practice in interpreting vascular tests. The physicians that were sampled included practitioners from diverse specialties, including cardiology, radiology, vascular surgery and vascular medicine.
The major headings (as indicated by Roman numerals) in the content outline represent the first-level breakdown of the questions testing candidates’ knowledge of the various procedures typically performed by physicians practicing vascular ultrasound. The percentage ranges shown next to each heading indicate the various proportions of the total number of questions on the examination that will be related to that testing (content) area. Score information is reported only for the areas major headings.
The PVI Examination has been designed to test the knowledge and skills that physicians commonly use when working as part of a team in a vascular laboratory setting. Therefore, the emphasis is on relevant anatomy, physiology, instrumentation, and physical principles as these apply to the
interpretation of vascular laboratory tests. The PVI Examination does not test the knowledge and skills used to
perform vascular laboratory tests. The latter is covered by the Vascular Technology and Sonography Principles and Instrumentation examinations, which are the two required examinations for the Registered Vascular Technologist (RVT) credential. Physicians who successfully complete the PVI Examination will obtain the new Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) credential.
An outline summary for the Physicians' Vascular Interpretation (PVI) examination appears below. For a more detailed exam content outline
click
here.
| I. Cerebrovascular (15%) |
Extracranial Carotid
Intracranial Carotid
|
| II. Abdominal (15%) |
Aortoiliac
Liver
Mesenteric
Renal
|
| III. Peripheral Arterial - Duplex Imaging (15%) |
Bypass Graft
Dialysis Access
Interpretation of Duplex Imaging
Postoperative Endovascular Intervention
|
| IV. Peripheral Arterial - Physiologic (20%) |
Ankle Brachial Index/Pulse Volume Recording
Digital Evaluation
|
| V. Peripheral Venous (20%) |
Vein Mapping
Venous Thrombosis/Obstruction
Venous Insufficiency Testing
|
| VI. Laboratory Technology and Operations (15%) |
Patient Care
Physics and Instrumentation
Quality Assurance
|
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