Non-Invasive Cerebrovascular Interpretation (Extracranial)

Non-Invasive Cerebrovascular Interpretation (Extracranial)

0% Complete

Course Overview

This comprehensive course provides physicians with an in-depth, clinically focused review of vascular ultrasound principles essential to accurate interpretation of cerebrovascular studies. Designed for flexibility and depth, the program combines online, self-paced learning with 8 hours of live, instructor-led education, allowing participants to build foundational knowledge while benefiting from expert-guided discussion and real-time case review. Through targeted instruction in ultrasound physics, Doppler principles, and arterial hemodynamics, the course highlights how technical factors and physiologic conditions influence waveform morphology, velocity measurements, and overall diagnostic accuracy. Extracranial cerebrovascular anatomy and pathology are explored in detail, with emphasis on carotid and vertebral artery evaluation, collateral flow patterns, and common interpretive pitfalls encountered in daily clinical practice. Interactive, case-based examples guide participants through real-world scenarios involving elevated velocities, proximal and distal disease, turbulent flow, and confounding clinical factors that affect stenosis grading. While reinforcing standardized diagnostic criteria, the course also addresses situations in which strict velocity thresholds may be misleading. By integrating waveform analysis, anatomic findings, and clinical context, participants gain practical strategies to support accurate reporting, confident clinical decision-making, and consistent, high-quality vascular ultrasound interpretation.

Course Content

Credits

8.00
AMA PRA Category 1™ Credits

* AMA PRA Category 1™ credits are used by physicians and other groups like PAs and certain nurses. Category 1 credits are accepted by the ACCME, ARDMS, CCI, and Sonography Canada.

Course Details

Duration
8.00 hours
Released
Oct 9, 2024
Last Review
Oct 9, 2024
Expires
Oct 9, 2027

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to explain fundamental ultrasound physics concepts as they relate to image formation, resolution, and Doppler principles; understand transducer selection and system optimization as they impact diagnostic image quality and Doppler accuracy; describe arterial hemodynamic principles, including the relationships between pressure, flow, velocity, resistance, and turbulence; recognize normal and abnormal Doppler waveforms and correlate waveform findings with underlying vascular pathology; apply standardized diagnostic criteria to evaluate arterial stenosis using velocity measurements and waveform analysis; identify normal extracranial cerebrovascular anatomy and common pathologic findings encountered during carotid and vertebral artery examinations; and integrate clinical history and indications to support accurate interpretation, reporting, and clinical decision-making in vascular ultrasound studies.

Target Audience

This training program is tailored for physicians, vascular sonographers, technologists, and healthcare professionals involved in the performance, interpretation, and clinical application of ultrasound and vascular diagnostic studies.

Faculty & Disclosure

Faculty

Angela Rodriquez Wong MD, RVT, RPVI

Joseph P. Hughes, MBA, BSHA, RVT, RVS, RPhS, NVS, FSVU

Patricia (Tish) Poe, BA RVT FSVU

Peony Lam, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT

Rick Dubin, AAS-DMS, RVT, RDMS

Disclosure

Angela Rodriquez Wong, MD, RVT, RPVI: No relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose. Joseph P. Hughes, MBA, BSHA, RVT, RVS, RPhS, NVS, FSVU: No relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose. Patricia (Tish) Poe, BA, RVT, FSVU: No relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose. Peony Lam, BS, RDMS, RDCS, RVT: No relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose. Rick Dubin, AAS-DMS, RVT, RDMS: No relevant financial or non-financial relationships to disclose.

Accreditation

The Institute for Advanced Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The Institute for Advanced Medical Education designates this enduring material for a maximum of 8.00 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Sonographers: These credits are accepted by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS), Sonography Canada, Cardiovascular Credentialing International (CCI), and most other organizations.

For information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board or other credentialing organization.