CIR Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. In Cardiac Interventional Radiology, how does infection control & prevention contribute to professional credibility? → By demonstrating competence, maintaining standards, and delivering consistent results
2. What is the primary purpose of a hydrophilic coating on an interventional guidewire? → To reduce friction and improve trackability through tortuous vessels
3. Which quality indicator best reflects the technical success of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)? → Residual stenosis <20% with TIMI 3 flow post-PCI
4. An Automatic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (AICD) in a patient undergoing fluoroscopy-guided cath lab procedures should be: → Interrogated and reprogrammed by electrophysiology prior to the procedure
5. Which characteristic of a bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) differentiates it most significantly from a metallic DES? → It is gradually absorbed by the vessel wall over 2–3 years, leaving no permanent implant
6. Which competency is MOST essential for professionals working in infection control & prevention in Cardiac Interventional Radiology? → Critical thinking combined with practical application of knowledge
7. What role does documentation play in patient education & health promotion within Cardiac Interventional Radiology? → It ensures continuity, accountability, and serves as a reference for all parties
8. Which lab test is commonly checked before cardiac interventional procedures? → INR (International Normalized Ratio)
9. Which organization accredits cardiac catheterization laboratories in the United States and sets structural performance standards? → The Joint Commission (TJC)
10. What is the purpose of balloon angioplasty? → Open narrowed blood vessels
11. What is the BEST approach to documentation & health records standardization in Cardiac Interventional Radiology? → Implementing consistent formats, terminology, and processes across the organization
12. Which element is ESSENTIAL for an effective professional ethics & legal standards program in Cardiac Interventional Radiology? → Regular audits and continuous monitoring processes
13. During right heart catheterization, which chamber is entered immediately after passing through the tricuspid valve? → Right ventricle
14. Which quality is MOST important for professionals conducting diagnostic procedures & interpretation in Cardiac Interventional Radiology? → Objectivity and attention to detail
15. Which metric is most commonly used to benchmark door-to-balloon (D2B) time quality in STEMI care? → Mean D2B time ≤ 90 minutes for ≥ 75% of eligible patients
16. Which practice best prevents wrong-patient contrast injections in a busy cath lab setting? → Two-identifier patient verification at every major step of care
17. What is the recommended method for flushing an arterial sheath during a cardiac catheterization procedure to prevent thromboembolism? → Continuous pressure-bag flush with heparinized saline at 3 mL/hr
18. In Cardiac Interventional Radiology, how should sensitive documentation & health records be protected? → Through role-based access controls, encryption, and compliance with privacy regulations
19. What is the PRIMARY objective of emergency response & critical care within the Cardiac Interventional Radiology profession? → To ensure quality outcomes through standardized practices and continuous improvement
20. Which vein is typically used for venous access in right heart catheterization? → Femoral vein
21. Which property of contrast media MOST directly contributes to prolonged QT interval on ECG during coronary injections? → High osmolality and ionicity
22. Which factor BEST indicates mastery of infection control & prevention in Cardiac Interventional Radiology? → The ability to adapt knowledge and skills to varying contexts while maintaining standards
23. What does the French (Fr) size designation indicate about an interventional catheter or sheath? → The outer diameter in millimeters multiplied by 3
24. A patient develops diffuse urticaria and mild itching 5 minutes after contrast injection with no respiratory or hemodynamic changes. How is this classified? → Mild anaphylactoid reaction
25. What is the function of contrast agents in interventional radiology? → To visualize blood vessels
26. What is the primary mechanism by which contrast media causes contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN)? → Direct tubular toxicity combined with renal medullary vasoconstriction
27. What is the primary purpose of the timeout procedure before starting the intervention? → To confirm patient identity and procedure
28. During coronary intervention, a guide catheter with deep intubation of the left main is noted. What is the primary risk of this position? → Ostial dissection or vessel occlusion
29. Which hemostasis valve on a guide catheter allows instrument exchanges without significant blood loss or air entry? → Y-connector with rotating hemostatic valve
30. Why is collateral circulation important in cardiac vasculature? → They maintain perfusion during occlusion.