RCIS Exam \Cardiovascular Credentialing International
(CCI) Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist –
2026/2027 Edition – Verified Questions and Answers
True or False: During a left heart biopsy you should give heparin. -ANSWER-Yes,
5000IU to avoid thrombi going to the brain
What is the maximum annual Radiation exposure? -ANSWER-5 REM
What is the therapeutic INR range for someone on warfarin/coumadin? -ANSWER-2.0-
3.0
What is a normal INR for someone not on coumadin/warfarin? -ANSWER-INR 0.6-1.2
When using FFR, what drug is given and how is it delivered? -ANSWER-Adenosine
causes hyperemia (Increased blood flow to the tissues.
Can be delivered by either IV or IC
What are the pros and cons of a mechanical aortic valve? -ANSWER-Pros: last longer
Cons: Prone to thrombus formation
Why would you use Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CTR) pacing device (such as
biventricular pacing)? How many leads does it use? Where are they placed? -ANSWER-
uses 2-3 leads
placed through a vein in the RA, RV and into coronal sinus vein to pace the LV
A CRT device sends small electrical impulses to both lower chambers of the heart to
help them beat together in a more synchronized pattern.
What are the angioplasty guidewire calibers? -ANSWER-0.014-0.018 inch
When can you detect Myoglobin after an MI? -ANSWER-* 2-4 hours after symptom
onset * normal in 24-36 hours
What is the diameter of the standard J wire? -ANSWER-0.035
What is the Warfarin ( Coumadin) antagonist? -ANSWER-vitamin K
When shooting a LIMA, the cuff should be? -ANSWER-Isolateral (same side as LIMA)
left arm
What is the usual time for restenosis to occur? -ANSWER-within 6 months
What size is the red sheath? -ANSWER-*4F-red
What size is the grey sheath? -ANSWER-5F-grey
What size is the green sheath? -ANSWER-6F- green
What size is the orange sheath? -ANSWER-7F-orange
, What size is the blue sheath? -ANSWER-8F-blue
What size is black sheath? -ANSWER-9F-black
What is the name of the self expanding stent used in the carotid arteries, SVG, Iliac and
femoral vessels? -ANSWER-Wall stent
Where can a wall stent be used? -ANSWER-carotid arteries, SVG, Iliac and femoral
vessels
What is the loading dose of aspirin in a patient with ischemia/chest pain? -ANSWER-
162-325 mg
Should you increase or decrease burr speed when you increase from a 1.25-2.15 burr?
-ANSWER-decrease
Where does the apex point in a RAO view? -ANSWER-* RAO=apex points to the right
Where does the apex point in a LAO view? -ANSWER-*LAO= apex points to the left
What medication do you give when doing FFR? How does it measure? -ANSWER-
adenosine
Measure by hyperemic effect (max dilation of vessels)
What medication should you give before using IVUS to avoid spasm? -ANSWER-Always
give 200 nitro before using IVUS to avoid spasm.
What is the proper placement of an IABP? -ANSWER-1-2cm distal to left subclavian and
promixal to the renals.
Where do we stick for neck access for right heart? -ANSWER-Right internal jugular vein
What is the average Adult Hematocrit in %? -ANSWER-Men 45%
Women 40%
What are softer guidewires used for? -ANSWER-They Are easier/safer in a tortuous
vessel
What is a normal QRS complex duration? -ANSWER-0.08 - 0.12 sec (2 - 3 small
squares)
Where does a homograft valve come from? -ANSWER-From another human heart
explanted at autopsy
What is atherectomy? -ANSWER-Reduction of plaque by using rotational, laser or
directional atherectomy device
How does perclose work? -ANSWER-Perclose device uses nonabsorbable suture with 2
needles to attach the suture material.
What are the signs of a LBBB? -ANSWER-LBBB( left bundle branch block)
QRS >0.12 sec
V5,V6 V1 negative deflection
What can lidocaine be used for other than pain relief? -ANSWER-Lidocaine also used for
ventricular arrhythmias * Ca channel blocker affect directly purkinge fibers
Why is it important to lower the image intensifier? -ANSWER-*reduces pt exposure
*improves image quality
Where is the blood with the lowest 02 sats? -ANSWER-coronary sinus
What is a disadvantage of an Animal Aortic Valve? -ANSWER-Does not last long
because animals do not have a mechanical valve
10-20 years at most
RCA RAO looks like the letter? -ANSWER-"L"
What is the average amount of pericardial fluid? -ANSWER-10-50ml
What is a normal ACT? -ANSWER-75-120 sec
(CCI) Registered Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist –
2026/2027 Edition – Verified Questions and Answers
True or False: During a left heart biopsy you should give heparin. -ANSWER-Yes,
5000IU to avoid thrombi going to the brain
What is the maximum annual Radiation exposure? -ANSWER-5 REM
What is the therapeutic INR range for someone on warfarin/coumadin? -ANSWER-2.0-
3.0
What is a normal INR for someone not on coumadin/warfarin? -ANSWER-INR 0.6-1.2
When using FFR, what drug is given and how is it delivered? -ANSWER-Adenosine
causes hyperemia (Increased blood flow to the tissues.
Can be delivered by either IV or IC
What are the pros and cons of a mechanical aortic valve? -ANSWER-Pros: last longer
Cons: Prone to thrombus formation
Why would you use Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CTR) pacing device (such as
biventricular pacing)? How many leads does it use? Where are they placed? -ANSWER-
uses 2-3 leads
placed through a vein in the RA, RV and into coronal sinus vein to pace the LV
A CRT device sends small electrical impulses to both lower chambers of the heart to
help them beat together in a more synchronized pattern.
What are the angioplasty guidewire calibers? -ANSWER-0.014-0.018 inch
When can you detect Myoglobin after an MI? -ANSWER-* 2-4 hours after symptom
onset * normal in 24-36 hours
What is the diameter of the standard J wire? -ANSWER-0.035
What is the Warfarin ( Coumadin) antagonist? -ANSWER-vitamin K
When shooting a LIMA, the cuff should be? -ANSWER-Isolateral (same side as LIMA)
left arm
What is the usual time for restenosis to occur? -ANSWER-within 6 months
What size is the red sheath? -ANSWER-*4F-red
What size is the grey sheath? -ANSWER-5F-grey
What size is the green sheath? -ANSWER-6F- green
What size is the orange sheath? -ANSWER-7F-orange
, What size is the blue sheath? -ANSWER-8F-blue
What size is black sheath? -ANSWER-9F-black
What is the name of the self expanding stent used in the carotid arteries, SVG, Iliac and
femoral vessels? -ANSWER-Wall stent
Where can a wall stent be used? -ANSWER-carotid arteries, SVG, Iliac and femoral
vessels
What is the loading dose of aspirin in a patient with ischemia/chest pain? -ANSWER-
162-325 mg
Should you increase or decrease burr speed when you increase from a 1.25-2.15 burr?
-ANSWER-decrease
Where does the apex point in a RAO view? -ANSWER-* RAO=apex points to the right
Where does the apex point in a LAO view? -ANSWER-*LAO= apex points to the left
What medication do you give when doing FFR? How does it measure? -ANSWER-
adenosine
Measure by hyperemic effect (max dilation of vessels)
What medication should you give before using IVUS to avoid spasm? -ANSWER-Always
give 200 nitro before using IVUS to avoid spasm.
What is the proper placement of an IABP? -ANSWER-1-2cm distal to left subclavian and
promixal to the renals.
Where do we stick for neck access for right heart? -ANSWER-Right internal jugular vein
What is the average Adult Hematocrit in %? -ANSWER-Men 45%
Women 40%
What are softer guidewires used for? -ANSWER-They Are easier/safer in a tortuous
vessel
What is a normal QRS complex duration? -ANSWER-0.08 - 0.12 sec (2 - 3 small
squares)
Where does a homograft valve come from? -ANSWER-From another human heart
explanted at autopsy
What is atherectomy? -ANSWER-Reduction of plaque by using rotational, laser or
directional atherectomy device
How does perclose work? -ANSWER-Perclose device uses nonabsorbable suture with 2
needles to attach the suture material.
What are the signs of a LBBB? -ANSWER-LBBB( left bundle branch block)
QRS >0.12 sec
V5,V6 V1 negative deflection
What can lidocaine be used for other than pain relief? -ANSWER-Lidocaine also used for
ventricular arrhythmias * Ca channel blocker affect directly purkinge fibers
Why is it important to lower the image intensifier? -ANSWER-*reduces pt exposure
*improves image quality
Where is the blood with the lowest 02 sats? -ANSWER-coronary sinus
What is a disadvantage of an Animal Aortic Valve? -ANSWER-Does not last long
because animals do not have a mechanical valve
10-20 years at most
RCA RAO looks like the letter? -ANSWER-"L"
What is the average amount of pericardial fluid? -ANSWER-10-50ml
What is a normal ACT? -ANSWER-75-120 sec
