ABIM Interventional Cardiology Certification
Examination Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A 65-year-old man presents with stable angina. Coronary
angiography reveals a 70% stenosis in the mid-LAD. Which of the
following is the preferred initial therapy?
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent
Medical therapy alone
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Thrombolytic therapy
PCI is preferred in patients with significant, symptomatic single-
vessel disease, particularly when lesions are suitable for stenting.
2. Which of the following antiplatelet agents is commonly used in
dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after stent placement?
Aspirin alone
Clopidogrel
Warfarin
Heparin
Clopidogrel, in combination with aspirin, is standard DAPT after
stent placement to prevent stent thrombosis.
3. A patient undergoing PCI develops acute stent thrombosis. The
most likely cause is:
Stent malposition
Premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy
Excessive balloon inflation
, Contrast-induced nephropathy
Stopping antiplatelet therapy too early significantly increases the
risk of acute stent thrombosis.
4. Which coronary artery is most commonly involved in acute
myocardial infarction?
Left circumflex
Right coronary artery
Left anterior descending (LAD)
Left main coronary artery
The LAD is the artery most frequently affected in acute MI due to
its large myocardial territory.
5. In patients with chronic total occlusions, which technique is
preferred for crossing the lesion?
Balloon angioplasty alone
Guidewire escalation with specialized CTO wires
Bailout stenting
Thrombolysis
CTO crossing is generally performed using specialized guidewires
and escalation techniques to safely penetrate the occlusion.
6. What is the primary indication for using a drug-eluting stent over
a bare-metal stent?
Lower cost
Reduced risk of restenosis
Easier deployment
Shorter DAPT duration
Drug-eluting stents release medication that inhibits neointimal
proliferation, reducing restenosis compared to bare-metal stents.
7. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to PCI?
Unstable angina
, NSTEMI
Active bleeding
Chronic stable angina
Active bleeding is an absolute contraindication due to the need for
anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy during PCI.
8. Which imaging modality is most helpful for assessing stent
apposition?
CT angiography
Stress echocardiography
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
Electrocardiography
IVUS provides detailed visualization of the stent and vessel wall to
ensure proper apposition.
9. A patient develops contrast-induced nephropathy after PCI. The
first step in management is:
Administer high-dose aspirin
Hydration with isotonic saline
Start thrombolytics
Perform urgent CABG
Volume expansion with isotonic saline is the mainstay of
treatment and prevention for contrast nephropathy.
10. Which of the following is a common complication of PCI?
Stroke
Coronary artery dissection
Pulmonary embolism
Heart block
Coronary artery dissection can occur during balloon inflation or
stent deployment and may require additional stenting.
Examination Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A 65-year-old man presents with stable angina. Coronary
angiography reveals a 70% stenosis in the mid-LAD. Which of the
following is the preferred initial therapy?
Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug-eluting stent
Medical therapy alone
Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)
Thrombolytic therapy
PCI is preferred in patients with significant, symptomatic single-
vessel disease, particularly when lesions are suitable for stenting.
2. Which of the following antiplatelet agents is commonly used in
dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after stent placement?
Aspirin alone
Clopidogrel
Warfarin
Heparin
Clopidogrel, in combination with aspirin, is standard DAPT after
stent placement to prevent stent thrombosis.
3. A patient undergoing PCI develops acute stent thrombosis. The
most likely cause is:
Stent malposition
Premature discontinuation of antiplatelet therapy
Excessive balloon inflation
, Contrast-induced nephropathy
Stopping antiplatelet therapy too early significantly increases the
risk of acute stent thrombosis.
4. Which coronary artery is most commonly involved in acute
myocardial infarction?
Left circumflex
Right coronary artery
Left anterior descending (LAD)
Left main coronary artery
The LAD is the artery most frequently affected in acute MI due to
its large myocardial territory.
5. In patients with chronic total occlusions, which technique is
preferred for crossing the lesion?
Balloon angioplasty alone
Guidewire escalation with specialized CTO wires
Bailout stenting
Thrombolysis
CTO crossing is generally performed using specialized guidewires
and escalation techniques to safely penetrate the occlusion.
6. What is the primary indication for using a drug-eluting stent over
a bare-metal stent?
Lower cost
Reduced risk of restenosis
Easier deployment
Shorter DAPT duration
Drug-eluting stents release medication that inhibits neointimal
proliferation, reducing restenosis compared to bare-metal stents.
7. Which of the following is an absolute contraindication to PCI?
Unstable angina
, NSTEMI
Active bleeding
Chronic stable angina
Active bleeding is an absolute contraindication due to the need for
anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy during PCI.
8. Which imaging modality is most helpful for assessing stent
apposition?
CT angiography
Stress echocardiography
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
Electrocardiography
IVUS provides detailed visualization of the stent and vessel wall to
ensure proper apposition.
9. A patient develops contrast-induced nephropathy after PCI. The
first step in management is:
Administer high-dose aspirin
Hydration with isotonic saline
Start thrombolytics
Perform urgent CABG
Volume expansion with isotonic saline is the mainstay of
treatment and prevention for contrast nephropathy.
10. Which of the following is a common complication of PCI?
Stroke
Coronary artery dissection
Pulmonary embolism
Heart block
Coronary artery dissection can occur during balloon inflation or
stent deployment and may require additional stenting.
