UKOM Sp.DVE study materials
UKOM Sp.DVE study resources

UKOM Sp.DVE study plan

UKOM Sp.DVE · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Vascular and endovascular anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology & Arterial occlusive disease (peripheral arterial disease, aortoiliac and infrainguinal disease)

  • Draw and label the arterial tree from aortic arch to pedal arch from memory, then correct errors against an anatomy atlas

  • Explain the hemodynamics of stenosis (Poiseuille, Bernoulli, critical stenosis, collateral recruitment) in writing without notes

  • Differentiate the pathophysiology of claudication vs critical limb-threatening ischemia, including microcirculatory and metabolic changes

  • Map the angiographic segments of the femoropopliteal and tibial vessels to the corresponding open surgical exposures

Your checkpoint

A one-page hand-drawn arterial map with 30+ labeled segments plus a 300-word written explanation of stenosis hemodynamics, self-graded against a reference

Week 2

Aortic disease (aneurysm, dissection, and thoracoabdominal pathology) & Endovascular techniques, devices, and imaging (catheter-based intervention, angiography, radiation safety)

  • Classify aortic aneurysms by location, morphology, and etiology, and state repair thresholds with the evidence behind them

  • Describe the Stanford and DeBakey dissection classifications and the immediate management priorities for each type

  • Sequence the steps of EVAR and TEVAR planning: sizing, landing zones, access assessment, and device selection

  • List the deterministic and stochastic radiation risks and apply ALARA, collimation, and last-image-hold principles to a hypothetical case

  • Compare contrast-induced nephropathy prevention strategies and select an appropriate one for a patient with eGFR 35

Your checkpoint

A written EVAR/TEVAR planning worksheet for two constructed cases (one infrarenal, one thoracoabdominal) including neck measurements, landing zones, and access strategy

Week 3

Venous and lymphatic disease (chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, venous thrombosis, lymphedema) & Vascular trauma and acute limb ischemia

  • Apply the CEAP classification and duplex criteria to grade chronic venous insufficiency and select conservative vs interventional management

  • Outline the diagnostic pathway and anticoagulation decisions for suspected lower-limb deep vein thrombosis, including provoked vs unprovoked duration rules

  • Distinguish primary from secondary lymphedema and describe complete decongestive therapy components

  • Execute the acute limb ischemia workup: Rutherford classification, immediate heparinization, imaging choice, and revascularization decision within a stated time frame

  • Describe hard signs of vascular trauma and the indications for immediate exploration vs CT angiography

Your checkpoint

A decision-flow diagram covering acute limb ischemia from presentation to revascularization, with Rutherford classes and time targets annotated

Week 4

Clinical assessment and non-invasive vascular diagnostics & Dialysis access and vascular access surgery

  • Interpret ankle-brachial index, toe-brachial index, and segmental pressures in calcified and non-calcified limbs

  • Read a duplex report and translate peak systolic velocity ratios and waveform changes into a stenosis grade

  • Compare arteriovenous fistula, graft, and catheter configurations for hemodialysis access and state the advantages and failure modes of each

  • Apply the rule of 6s and physical exam plus surveillance criteria to detect access dysfunction, and outline management of steal syndrome and access-related infection

  • Perform a structured vascular history and pulse/exam sequence and document findings in a standard format

Your checkpoint

A completed mock objective structured clinical examination note for one PAD and one dialysis access patient, including ABI and duplex interpretation with a stated plan

Week 5

Arterial occlusive disease (peripheral arterial disease, aortoiliac and infrainguinal disease) & Aortic disease (aneurysm, dissection, and thoracoabdominal pathology)

  • Compare endovascular and open revascularization for aortoiliac and infrainguinal disease using TASC-style anatomic reasoning and current guideline recommendations

  • Select conduit and approach for infrainguinal bypass and state graft surveillance and antiplatelet/anticoagulation plans

  • Distinguish ruptured, symptomatic, and asymptomatic aortic aneurysm management pathways including permissive hypotension and transfer decisions

  • Describe open and endovascular options for thoracoabdominal aneurysm and the spinal cord ischemia mitigation strategy

  • Explain type I to IV endoleak mechanisms and their respective management options

Your checkpoint

Two written case resolutions (one TASC D aortoiliac, one ruptured AAA) with a justified operative plan, alternatives, and expected complications

Week 6

Endovascular techniques, devices, and imaging (catheter-based intervention, angiography, radiation safety) & Open vascular surgical techniques, perioperative care, and anesthesia

  • Sequence a diagnostic angiogram and a peripheral intervention: access, sheath selection, wire and catheter choice, anticoagulation dosing, and closure

  • Select balloons, stents, covered stents, and atherectomy devices for defined lesion morphologies and justify each choice

  • Describe open surgical technique steps for endarterectomy, patch angioplasty, and prosthetic graft placement including infection prophylaxis

  • Outline perioperative care for vascular patients: cardiac risk assessment, beta-blockade and statin continuation, fluid strategy, and regional vs general anesthesia considerations

  • Identify the major complications of endovascular access and their immediate management

Your checkpoint

A step-by-step written procedural protocol for a superficial femoral artery angioplasty and stent, including device sizes, drug doses, and a complication checklist

Week 7

Vascular medicine, risk factor management, and anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy & Professionalism, ethics, communication, and health law in vascular practice & Patient safety, quality improvement, and evidence-based vascular practice

  • Apply current antiplatelet and anticoagulation regimens to PAD, carotid disease, EVAR, and bypass patients, including perioperative bridging decisions

  • Construct a risk factor modification plan covering smoking cessation, lipid targets, blood pressure, and diabetes control with specific agents and targets

  • Analyze a consent scenario for a high-risk revascularization using shared decision-making and capacity assessment principles

  • Explain confidentiality, duty of candour, and error disclosure obligations in a vascular adverse event

  • Design a small quality improvement measure for a vascular service using a structure-process-outcome framework and an audit cycle

Your checkpoint

A one-page quality improvement proposal with a defined indicator, data source, baseline assumption, and re-audit interval, plus a written consent script for an EVAR discussion

Week 8

Vascular and endovascular anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology & Arterial occlusive disease (peripheral arterial disease, aortoiliac and infrainguinal disease) & Aortic disease (aneurysm, dissection, and thoracoabdominal pathology) & Venous and lymphatic disease (chronic venous insufficiency, varicose veins, venous thrombosis, lymphedema) & Vascular trauma and acute limb ischemia & Dialysis access and vascular access surgery & Endovascular techniques, devices, and imaging (catheter-based intervention, angiography, radiation safety) & Open vascular surgical techniques, perioperative care, and anesthesia & Vascular medicine, risk factor management, and anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy & Professionalism, ethics, communication, and health law in vascular practice & Patient safety, quality improvement, and evidence-based vascular practice

  • Complete two full-length timed mock examinations and log every incorrect item by domain and error type

  • Re-teach the five weakest topics from the error log by writing a short explanation for each without reference material

  • Recite the numeric thresholds and time targets that recur across domains: repair sizes, ABI cutoffs, ischemia windows, and anticoagulation durations

  • Simulate a rapid-fire case review of 20 mixed scenarios under time pressure and verbalize the decision for each

Your checkpoint

A scored mock exam report with a domain-by-domain accuracy table and a prioritized final-week revision list of no more than 10 items

Milestones

Week 2: Score at least 70% on a self-made 25-question quiz covering domains 1, 3, 4, and 8; if below, reallocate two hours from week 3 to anatomy and aortic pathology

Week 4: Correctly interpret five duplex and ABI vignettes without notes and complete the mock clinical notes to a self-assessed passing standard

Week 6: Write the SFA intervention protocol from memory with all device sizes and drug doses within acceptable ranges, and pass a 20-question mixed-domain quiz at 70% or higher

Week 8: Achieve 75% or higher on the second full mock exam with no single domain below 60%, and confirm every item on the final revision list has been re-taught and self-tested