FREE CIR Interventional Radiology Techniques & Procedures Questions and Answers

Question 1

What is the purpose of balloon angioplasty?

Accepted Answer

Open narrowed blood vessels

Answer

Balloon angioplasty is a medical procedure designed to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels, typically caused by plaque buildup (atherosclerosis). A catheter with a deflated balloon is guided to the blockage, and the balloon is then inflated to compress the plaque against the artery walls, restoring proper blood flow. This intervention helps alleviate symptoms and improve cardiac function.

Question 2

Which device is commonly used to keep an artery open after angioplasty?

Accepted Answer

Stent

Answer

A stent is a small, mesh-like tube commonly used to keep an artery open after balloon angioplasty. It is expanded within the narrowed vessel to act as a scaffold, preventing the artery from collapsing or re-narrowing (restenosis). Stents significantly improve the long-term success of angioplasty by maintaining vessel patency and ensuring continuous blood flow to the heart muscle.

Question 3

Which imaging technique is used during interventional radiology procedures to visualize vessels in real time?

Accepted Answer

Fluoroscopy

Answer

Fluoroscopy is an essential imaging technique used during interventional radiology procedures to visualize blood vessels and internal structures in real-time. It uses continuous X-rays to produce dynamic images on a monitor, allowing physicians to precisely guide catheters, wires, and other devices through the vascular system. This real-time guidance is critical for accurate and safe interventions.

Question 4

Why is a guidewire used in interventional radiology procedures?

Accepted Answer

To navigate and position tools in vessels

Answer

A guidewire is a thin, flexible wire with a steerable tip that is initially advanced through a blood vessel to the target area. It serves as a crucial rail over which catheters, balloons, and stents can then be safely and precisely threaded. This allows for controlled navigation and accurate positioning of interventional tools within the complex vascular anatomy.

Question 5

What is the function of contrast agents in interventional radiology?

Accepted Answer

To visualize blood vessels

Answer

Contrast agents, usually iodine-based, are injected into the bloodstream during interventional radiology procedures to visualize blood vessels. These agents absorb X-rays, making the vessels appear opaque on fluoroscopic images, allowing physicians to identify blockages, aneurysms, and other vascular abnormalities. This enhanced visualization is critical for guiding interventions and assessing vascular anatomy.

CIR - Cardiac Interventional Radiology Practice Test

CIR - Cardiac Interventional Radiology Practice Test

FREE CIR Interventional Radiology Techniques & Procedures Questions and Answers