Evaluation Content and Format Flashcards

Which color Doppler display convention shows flow toward the transducer in red and flow away in blue?

Answer: BART convention (Blue Away, Red Toward)

The BART (Blue Away, Red Toward) convention is the standard color assignment used in vascular duplex ultrasound to indicate flow direction relative to the transducer.

A vascular technologist performing renal artery duplex uses the renal-to-aortic ratio (RAR). What RAR value is considered significant for renal artery stenosis?

Answer: RAR > 3.5

A renal-to-aortic ratio > 3.5 is the established threshold for hemodynamically significant renal artery stenosis (typically ≥ 60%).

In the RVT exam, knowledge of normal triphasic arterial waveform components is required. Which component represents elastic recoil of the arterial wall?

Answer: Brief reverse flow phase

The brief reverse flow component of the triphasic waveform results from elastic recoil of the arterial wall and closure of the aortic valve, indicating a healthy, compliant vessel.

Which RVT examination topic requires understanding of plaque morphology classification including echolucent vs. echogenic characteristics?

Answer: Carotid artery duplex evaluation

Carotid artery duplex evaluation includes plaque morphology assessment, where echolucent (soft) plaques carry higher embolic risk than echogenic (calcified) plaques.

A candidate studies upper extremity arterial evaluation for the RVT exam. Which maneuver is used to provoke thoracic outlet syndrome during duplex examination?

Answer: Adson maneuver or hyperabduction of the arm

Provocative maneuvers such as the Adson maneuver or arm hyperabduction reproduce neurovascular compression at the thoracic outlet, causing subclavian artery flow changes on duplex.

Which concept is critical to understanding Doppler angle correction in quantitative vascular examination?

Answer: The angle between the Doppler beam and the vessel axis should be ≤ 60°

Doppler angle correction requires the angle between the ultrasound beam and blood flow direction to be ≤ 60° to minimize velocity calculation error from the cosine function.

Which mapping procedure evaluated in the RVT exam is performed pre-operatively to identify usable conduit for bypass surgery?

Answer: Greater saphenous vein mapping

Greater saphenous vein mapping assesses vein diameter, continuity, and depth to determine suitability as conduit for coronary artery or peripheral bypass grafting.