CCI Peripheral Arterial Evaluation 5

Question 1

A duplex scan reveals a focal aneurysm of the popliteal artery measuring 2.5 cm. Which complication is most commonly associated with popliteal artery aneurysms?

Accepted Answer

Thromboembolism causing acute limb ischemia

Answer

Popliteal artery aneurysms most commonly cause limb-threatening thromboembolism rather than rupture.

Question 2

When performing an arterial duplex of the lower extremity, which transducer frequency is most appropriate for imaging the deep femoral (profunda femoris) artery in an obese patient?

Accepted Answer

3–5 MHz

Answer

A lower frequency of 3–5 MHz provides greater tissue penetration needed to image deep vessels in obese patients despite reduced resolution.

Question 3

A patient has a normal ABI at rest but develops claudication after walking. Which test is most appropriate to evaluate for hemodynamically significant PAD?

Accepted Answer

Treadmill exercise ABI testing

Answer

Treadmill exercise ABI testing reveals pressure gradients across stenoses that are compensated and undetectable at rest.

Question 4

On a lower extremity arterial duplex scan, spectral broadening within the waveform most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Turbulent flow associated with stenosis

Answer

Spectral broadening occurs when multiple velocities are present simultaneously, which is characteristic of turbulent flow at or downstream from a stenosis.

Question 5

A patient post-femoral-popliteal bypass graft surveillance duplex shows a PSV of 45 cm/s throughout the graft with a monophasic low-velocity waveform. What does this suggest?

Accepted Answer

Graft at high risk for thrombosis due to low flow state

Answer

A graft PSV below 45–50 cm/s with a low-flow monophasic pattern indicates a failing graft at high risk for thrombosis.

CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International Practice Test

CCI - Cardiovascular Credentialing International Practice Test

CCI Peripheral Arterial Evaluation 5