CVT Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. During stress testing, ST elevation in leads without prior Q-waves (non-infarct territory) most likely represents: → Severe transmural ischemia or coronary spasm
2. Which medication is used to pharmacologically stress the heart during a nuclear stress test in patients who cannot exercise? → Dobutamine or regadenoson
3. Which finding on an ICD interrogation most reliably confirms appropriate therapy for VF? → Stored EGM showing disorganized ventricular activity at >300 bpm before the shock
4. The ethical principle of justice in healthcare most directly relates to: → Providing equal and fair distribution of resources and care
5. Which maneuver is used to evaluate for subclavian steal syndrome during a vascular ultrasound examination? → Arm exercise or blood pressure cuff inflation on the ipsilateral arm
6. Which ethical principle involves telling the patient the truth about their condition? → Veracity
7. Which waveform characteristic on a peripheral arterial Doppler study is most indicative of a hemodynamically significant proximal stenosis? → Monophasic waveform with prolonged systolic upstroke and absent diastole
8. When setting up a crash cart in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, which medication is MOST critical for treating ventricular fibrillation? → Epinephrine
9. In Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices, what is the FIRST step a CVT professional should take when encountering a new case or situation? → Conduct a comprehensive assessment and gather all relevant information
10. Which of the following best describes the Bernoulli principle as applied to arterial stenosis? → Pressure drops as velocity increases through a stenosis
11. In the Allen test performed before radial artery harvest, what does a positive (abnormal) result indicate? → Inadequate collateral flow to the hand from the ulnar artery
12. A patient receiving vasopressors has a MAP of 70 mmHg, CVP of 14 mmHg, and CO of 3.5 L/min. The SVR is approximately: → 1280 dyne·sec·cm⁻⁵
13. To assess the severity of aortic regurgitation during catheterization, the technologist performs an aortogram. Which injection site is used? → Aortic root just above the aortic valve
14. Which finding on mesenteric duplex ultrasound suggests significant celiac artery stenosis? → Peak systolic velocity greater than 200 cm/s with post-stenotic turbulence
15. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is preferred over transthoracic echo (TTE) for evaluating: → Left atrial appendage thrombus
16. In ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), what is the term for the normal nighttime reduction in blood pressure? → Nocturnal dipping
17. ACE inhibitors are beneficial in heart failure patients primarily because they: → Block the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system to reduce preload and afterload
18. In a patient with left bundle branch block (LBBB), which of the following complicates STEMI diagnosis? → LBBB produces ST changes that mimic or obscure STEMI
19. When applying Holter electrodes to a patient with extremely diaphoretic skin, which preparation technique is MOST important? → Thorough drying and antiperspirant application before electrode placement
20. A patient receiving digoxin therapy develops nausea, visual disturbances, and bradycardia. The CVT should suspect: → Digoxin toxicity
21. Which structure separates the left and right atria in the adult heart? → Interatrial septum
22. Which portion of the aorta gives rise to the right and left coronary arteries? → Aortic sinuses of Valsalva
23. A patient's ICD interrogation shows 'T-wave oversensing.' What is the most likely consequence? → Inappropriate shock delivery
24. What is the normal resting cardiac output for an average adult? → 4–6 L/min
25. Which valve prevents backflow of blood from the aorta into the left ventricle? → Aortic valve
26. In a complete left bundle branch block (LBBB), which finding is expected in lateral leads I, aVL, V5, and V6? → Broad, notched R waves
27. Which lead is best for monitoring lead placement during continuous cardiac monitoring to detect ischemia? → Lead V5
28. The right coronary artery most commonly supplies which structure responsible for the AV node? → Right coronary artery
29. A patient's ECG shows an RSR' pattern in V1 and a wide S wave in lead I. This pattern is consistent with: → Right bundle branch block
30. The Agatston score obtained from cardiac CT quantifies: → Coronary artery calcium burden as a marker of atherosclerosis