CCI Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield CCI facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. If a patient's heart rate is 160, it would be considered which of the following? → Tachycardia
2. Acoustic shadowing distal to a calcified structure occurs because: → The structure absorbs and reflects most of the incident sound energy
3. Which feature of a non-MR-conditional pacemaker or ICD is the primary concern when a patient requires MRI? → Electromagnetic interference causing oversensing or inappropriate pacing
4. Which clinical scenario BEST indicates the need for a bilateral lower extremity venous duplex exam rather than unilateral? → Suspected DVT in a patient with bilateral leg swelling of unknown cause
5. On a lower extremity arterial duplex scan, spectral broadening within the waveform most likely indicates: → Turbulent flow associated with stenosis
6. General factors that could favor an echocardiography would include all of the following, except: → Higher cost
7. Which statement about continuous wave (CW) Doppler is correct? → It can measure very high velocities without aliasing
8. When assessing for vertebral artery occlusion, which finding would support the diagnosis? → Absent color flow and Doppler signal despite optimal technique
9. In a patient with a bicuspid aortic valve, which associated cardiovascular abnormality must be routinely assessed? → Aortic root and ascending aorta dilation
10. In the venous system, the primary driving force for venous return from the lower extremities during ambulation is: → Calf muscle pump compressing deep veins
11. A patient with subclavian steal syndrome would demonstrate which vertebral artery flow pattern on the affected side during reactive hyperemia of the arm? → Bidirectional (to-and-fro) flow converting to full retrograde
12. What is the purpose of using a long sheath during radial artery access for coronary angiography? → To reduce radial artery spasm and facilitate catheter exchanges
13. Which waveform characteristic indicates high distal vascular resistance in a peripheral artery? → Triphasic waveform with prominent reverse component
14. During evaluation of the carotid bifurcation, the carotid bulb normally demonstrates which flow pattern? → A zone of flow separation and reversal along the outer wall
15. On duplex ultrasonography, which finding is most specific for renal artery stenosis >60%? → RAR (renal-to-aortic ratio) > 3.5
16. The statement that would best describe a "comet tail" would be considered which of the following? → A series of closely spaced reverberation echoes.
17. Which Doppler modality uses a sample volume placed at a fixed depth and provides spectral analysis of flow at that specific location? → Pulsed wave Doppler
18. What is the normal range for mitral valve area (MVA) as measured by the pressure half-time (PHT) method? → 4.0–6.0 cm²
19. During stress echocardiography, which new wall motion abnormality at peak stress is most indicative of significant coronary artery disease? → Stress-induced hypokinesis or akinesis in a coronary territory
20. The right coronary artery originates from the ________________? → Right coronary aortic sinus
21. What finding on echo Doppler is used to non-invasively estimate right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP)? → Peak tricuspid regurgitation jet velocity using the modified Bernoulli equation
22. A spectral Doppler waveform showing systolic flow above and diastolic flow below the baseline in an arterial study most likely indicates: → Bidirectional flow with forward systole and reverse diastole (triphasic pattern)
23. Which pharmacological agent used in stress testing works by causing coronary vasodilation through A2A adenosine receptor agonism? → Regadenoson
24. The bundle of His bifurcates into the right and left bundle branches at which anatomical location? → Top of the muscular interventricular septum
25. What is the mechanism of action of dobutamine when used as a pharmacologic stressor in stress echocardiography? → Beta-1 adrenergic stimulation increasing heart rate and contractility to simulate exercise
26. During coronary angiography, a patient develops ventricular fibrillation. What is the immediate first-line treatment? → Immediate unsynchronized defibrillation at 200 J (biphasic)
27. During isovolumetric contraction, which valves are CLOSED? → All four valves are closed
28. Which of the following is a TRUE statement about ionic versus non-ionic contrast media? → Non-ionic contrast is associated with lower rates of allergic-type reactions
29. A patient undergoing carotid stenting has post-procedure duplex showing PSV of 240 cm/s at the stent. What is the most appropriate clinical interpretation? → In-stent restenosis ≥50% requiring close surveillance
30. In transcranial Doppler (TCD), the middle cerebral artery (MCA) is most commonly insonated through which acoustic window? → Transtemporal window