ARRT Vascular-Interventional Radiography study plan

Map the full scope of Domain 3 by listing every major procedure category (diagnostic angiography, PCI, embolization, thrombolysis, venous access, dialysis/graft interventions, GU/GI interventions) and ranking each by your current confidence

Define the anatomy, indications, and contraindications for the most heavily weighted procedure clusters (coronary and peripheral angiography, central venous access)

Build a one-page terminology sheet for catheter types, guidewires, sheaths, and needles, and quiz yourself until you can match each to its typical use

Identify your three weakest procedure categories and write a short list of the specific facts you still need to learn for each

Explain the step-by-step sequence of a diagnostic angiogram, including access, catheter selection, contrast injection, and post-procedure hemostasis

Compare embolic agents (coils, particles, glue, foam) and sclerosing agents by mechanism and clinical application

Describe thrombolysis and thrombectomy techniques, including infusion protocols and monitoring parameters

Practice 40+ procedure-based questions and log every missed concept with a one-line explanation

Complete a second pass over Domain 3, focusing on GU, GI, biliary, and dialysis-access interventions you flagged as weak

Describe contrast media types, iodine concentrations, and osmolality, and state when low-osmolar or iso-osmolar agents are preferred

Explain image acquisition concepts: DSA, roadmap/fluoroscopy modes, frame rates, pixel shift, and subtraction artifacts

Identify common artifacts and their causes (motion, misregistration, saturation) and the corrective action for each

Explain the imaging chain components and how each affects spatial resolution, contrast resolution, and noise

Describe automatic exposure control, kVp/mA selection tradeoffs, and how they affect patient dose and image quality

Compute basic dose metrics (DAP, air kerma, effective dose relationships) and explain the fluoroscopy time-to-dose relationship

State the regulatory and best-practice dose thresholds (reference levels, substantial radiation dose levels) and the actions they trigger

Describe fluoroscopy equipment operation, including pulsed vs continuous modes, collimation, magnification, and last-image-hold

Explain the inverse-square law, beam-limiting devices, and shielding options for patient and operator

List and explain practical dose-reduction techniques for both patient and staff, including personal dosimetry and protective apparel

Practice 40+ radiation-protection and equipment questions and log misses with corrections

Explain pre-procedure patient assessment elements: history, allergies, renal function, coagulation status, and informed consent

Describe contrast reaction recognition and the appropriate response for mild, moderate, and severe reactions

Outline post-procedure care: access-site assessment, hemostasis, complication recognition, and patient education points

Explain medication categories used in the interventional suite (anticoagulants, vasodilators, sedatives) and their monitoring implications

Re-run your week-1 confidence matrix and re-rate every procedure category to confirm improvement

Target the two lowest-scoring domains for a focused review, revisiting only the concepts still marked weak

Complete a full timed 100-question mixed-domain practice exam under test conditions

Analyze exam results by domain and identify the top five concepts still costing you the most points

Re-teach yourself the top five weak concepts from week 7 until you can explain each without notes

Complete a second timed mixed-domain practice exam and compare domain scores to week 7

Review all previously logged miss-logs and self-made quizzes in a single consolidated pass

Confirm logistics (test-day timing, allowable materials, rest plan) and set a final review schedule for the last 48 hours