RVT Cerebrovascular Anatomy and Disease 2

Question 1

Which vessel is most commonly responsible for a watershed infarct between the MCA and ACA territories?

Accepted Answer

Internal carotid artery stenosis

Answer

Severe ICA stenosis reduces perfusion pressure, making the border-zone watershed region between MCA and ACA territories vulnerable to ischemia.

Question 2

On duplex ultrasound, a post-stenotic flow pattern distal to a high-grade ICA stenosis is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Tardus-parvus waveform with delayed systolic upstroke

Answer

Tardus-parvus (slow-rising, rounded systolic peak with reduced amplitude) waveform is the classic post-stenotic pattern seen distal to significant stenosis.

Question 3

The carotid siphon refers to the S-shaped segment of the internal carotid artery located in the:

Accepted Answer

Cavernous sinus within the skull base

Answer

The carotid siphon is the S-shaped intracranial portion of the ICA that courses through the cavernous sinus.

Question 4

A patient with subclavian steal syndrome will demonstrate which finding on vertebral artery duplex?

Accepted Answer

Complete reversal of flow direction throughout the cardiac cycle

Answer

Complete subclavian steal causes full reversal of vertebral artery flow as blood is 'stolen' retrograde to supply the ischemic subclavian artery territory.

Question 5

The normal intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery in adults under 50 years is generally accepted as less than:

Accepted Answer

0.9 mm

Answer

An IMT of less than 0.9 mm is generally considered normal in adults, while values ≥1.0 mm suggest subclinical atherosclerosis.

(RVT) Registered Vascular Technologist Practice Test

(RVT) Registered Vascular Technologist Practice Test

RVT Cerebrovascular Anatomy and Disease 2