RCIS Cheat Sheet 2026

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

1. For correct Impella CP positioning, the inlet area of the device should be located: → 3.5 cm below the aortic valve in the left ventricle
2. A patient's Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is calculated to be 0.65. This result is most consistent with: → Mild to moderate peripheral artery disease
3. Which type of stent is designed to slowly release medication to prevent restenosis? → Drug-eluting stent (DES)
4. Radial artery spasm during transradial catheterization is best managed initially with: → Intra-arterial nitroglycerin or verapamil through the sheath
5. The most common cause of renal artery stenosis, which can be treated with percutaneous angioplasty and stenting, is: → Atherosclerosis
6. A patient develops urticaria and bronchospasm during contrast injection — what is the first-line treatment? → Epinephrine 0.3–0.5 mg IM or IV
7. After femoral sheath removal, a pulsatile mass develops at the access site — this is most consistent with: → Femoral pseudoaneurysm
8. Pressure damping during coronary catheter engagement is most commonly caused by: → Ostial coronary stenosis or catheter tip occlusion of the vessel lumen
9. Which hemostasis device is most commonly used to achieve radial artery compression after transradial catheterization? → TR Band (transradial compression device)
10. Which component of the cardiac cycle is represented by the T-wave on an electrocardiogram (ECG)? → Ventricular repolarization
11. What is the primary purpose of using an embolic protection device (EPD) during a carotid artery stenting procedure? → To capture embolic debris and prevent stroke
12. During coronary angiography, the LAO cranial (Spider) view is best used to visualize which coronary segment? → Mid and distal LAD with septal perforators and diagonal branches
13. Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) is used in the cath lab primarily for: → Assessing plaque morphology, stent expansion, and lesion severity beyond angiography
14. The primary purpose of heparin administered during cardiac catheterization is to: → Prevent thrombotic complications from catheter and sheath introduction
15. When performing a skin prep for a femoral artery access site, the antiseptic solution should be applied in what manner? → In a circular motion, starting at the insertion site and moving outward
16. Abciximab (ReoPro) is classified as which type of cardiovascular medication? → Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor
17. Clopidogrel (Plavix) exerts its antiplatelet effect by blocking which receptor on the platelet surface? → P2Y12 ADP
18. What component of a Pulmonary Capillary Wedge pressure indicates Mitral Insufficiency? → V wave
19. What is the formula for calculating systemic vascular resistance (SVR)? → SVR = (MAP - CVP) / CO
20. When opening a sterile package, which flap should be opened first? → The flap furthest away from you
21. What TIMI flow grade indicates normal, complete antegrade coronary blood flow equivalent to a non-culprit vessel? → TIMI 3
22. What is the standard landmark for femoral arterial access using the modified Seldinger technique? → Over the femoral head at the mid-inguinal point
23. Which vascular closure device uses a collagen plug deployed into the arteriotomy site to achieve hemostasis? → AngioSeal
24. Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action for a rotational atherectomy device (e.g., Rotablator)? → Ablation of calcified plaque into microparticles
25. Vascular resistance/pressure is most influenced by? → Radius of the vessel
26. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication for IABP insertion? → Significant aortic regurgitation
27. The Judkins left 4 (JL4) catheter is designed to engage the left coronary ostium without active manipulation from which access site? → Femoral
28. The Impella device provides hemodynamic support by: → Actively pumping blood from the left ventricle into the aorta
29. In a patient with severe aortic stenosis, what pressure gradient finding is expected during a left heart catheterization? → Peak systolic LV pressure is significantly higher than peak systolic Ao pressure
30. Which part of a sterile surgical gown is considered non-sterile? → The neckline and back of the gown