RPVI study guide
RPVI · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
RPVI (Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation) is a vascular ultrasound interpretation credential for physicians. The source page retrieved for this profile documents the RPVI-China variant, translated as "中国医师血管超声认证考试 (Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation in China)," described as representing "the highest attainable standard in vascular ultrasound interpretation in China" and awarded and administered by the Alliance for Physician Certification and Advancement (APCA). The RPVI study guide has 5 sections and about 1,553 words.
01Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation: Physics, Artifacts, and Spectral Analysis
Every interpretation question ultimately rests on physics. Know the Doppler equation: the frequency shift is proportional to transmitted frequency, blood velocity, and the cosine of the Doppler angle, and inversely related to the speed of sound in tissue (~1540 m/s).
319 words, about 2 min02Cerebrovascular Testing and Interpretation: Carotid and Vertebral Arteries
Carotid duplex interpretation hinges on velocity criteria correlated with angiographic stenosis. Understand the normal spectral waveform (low-resistance, broad systolic peak, continuous forward diastolic flow) and how it changes with stenosis: focal velocity increase, spectral broadening, post-stenotic turbulence, and eventually a dampened distal waveform.
332 words, about 2 min03Peripheral Arterial Testing and Interpretation: Segmental Pressures, Waveforms, and PVR
Peripheral arterial evaluation combines physiologic testing (ankle-brachial index, segmental pressures, pulse volume recordings, treadmill exercise) with duplex imaging. Know the ABI: highest ankle systolic pressure divided by the higher brachial pressure; normal ≥1.0, and values <0.9 suggest peripheral arterial disease.
311 words, about 2 min04Peripheral Venous Testing and Interpretation: DVT and Venous Insufficiency
Venous duplex relies on compressibility, augmentation, phasicity, and valve competence. For deep vein thrombosis (DVT), the primary criterion is non-compressibility; secondary signs include intraluminal echogenicity, absent or diminished phasicity with respiration, loss of augmentation, and collateral flow.
299 words, about 1 min05Abdominal and Visceral Vascular Testing: Aorta, Renal, and Mesenteric Arteries
Abdominal vascular ultrasound evaluates the aorta (aneurysm, stenosis, dissection), renal arteries (stenosis), mesenteric arteries (celiac and superior mesenteric stenosis), and the portal/hepatic venous system. Know normal aortic diameter thresholds (infrarenal 3 cm suggests aneurysm) and the appearance of mural thrombus.
292 words, about 1 min