Harvard Clinical Approach to Vascular Ultrasound and RPVI Prep Course 2026

Comprehensive Vascular Ultrasound, Noninvasive Vascular Diagnostics & RPVI Board Preparation

The Harvard Clinical Approach to Vascular Ultrasound and RPVI Prep Course 2026 provides a comprehensive, practical foundation in vascular ultrasound performance, interpretation, and laboratory management. Developed in collaboration with leading experts from Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Stanford University Hospital, University of Colorado Hospital, and Johns Hopkins Hospital, this course equips healthcare professionals with the skills necessary to perform and interpret vascular laboratory studies confidently.

Designed for physicians, ultrasound technologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and vascular specialists, the curriculum combines expert lectures, case-based discussions, and practical diagnostic examples to strengthen clinical decision-making while providing focused preparation for the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) examination.

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Course Details

• Course: Harvard Clinical Approach to Vascular Ultrasound and RPVI Prep Course 2026
• Dates: June 5–6, 2026
• Format: Online CME Course
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Focus: Vascular Ultrasound, Vascular Diagnostics & RPVI Examination Preparation

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Program Overview

Vascular ultrasound has become an essential diagnostic tool for evaluating arterial and venous disease, guiding treatment decisions, monitoring interventions, and improving patient outcomes. Accurate interpretation requires a strong understanding of ultrasound physics, vascular anatomy, hemodynamics, and disease-specific diagnostic criteria.

This intensive course delivers a structured review of noninvasive vascular diagnostics while emphasizing real-world clinical applications and board-focused content. Through practical case examples and expert instruction, participants develop the knowledge necessary to interpret vascular studies accurately and establish effective vascular laboratory services.

The curriculum is designed to support both daily clinical practice and successful completion of the RPVI certification examination.

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Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Interpret arterial and venous vascular studies involving peripheral, cerebrovascular, and abdominal vascular systems.
• Apply velocity criteria and Doppler findings to assess vascular stenosis and occlusive disease.
• Utilize ultrasound technology and physics principles in vascular diagnostics.
• Evaluate bypass grafts, dialysis access grafts, and endovascular interventions using vascular ultrasound.
• Prepare effectively for the Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) examination.
• Develop and implement a vascular laboratory program within their institution.

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Core Topics Covered

Ultrasound Physics & Instrumentation

Participants review the fundamental principles underlying vascular imaging, including:

• Ultrasound wave propagation
• Doppler principles
• Spectral analysis
• Color flow imaging
• Image optimization
• Common artifacts
• Equipment selection and quality assurance

A strong understanding of these concepts provides the foundation for accurate vascular diagnosis.

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Peripheral Arterial Ultrasound

Comprehensive coverage includes:

• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
• Lower extremity arterial evaluation
• Upper extremity arterial assessment
• Arterial stenosis grading
• Occlusive disease diagnosis
• Post-intervention surveillance

Faculty discuss practical approaches to interpreting arterial Doppler waveforms and velocity measurements.

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Venous Ultrasound

Dedicated sessions focus on:

• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
• Venous insufficiency
• Chronic venous disease
• Venous reflux studies
• Venous anatomy and physiology
• Post-thrombotic syndromes

Participants learn standardized methods for evaluating venous pathology using duplex ultrasound.

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Cerebrovascular Ultrasound

Topics include:

• Carotid artery disease
• Vertebral artery evaluation
• Stroke risk assessment
• Carotid stenosis grading
• Post-carotid intervention surveillance
• Cerebrovascular hemodynamics

Case-based examples reinforce practical interpretation skills.

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Abdominal Vascular Ultrasound

The course reviews imaging of:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
• Mesenteric arteries
• Renal arteries
• Visceral vascular disorders
• Endovascular aortic repair surveillance

Participants learn evidence-based approaches to diagnosing abdominal vascular disease.

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Vascular Laboratory Interpretation

Faculty provide detailed instruction on:

• Velocity criteria
• Hemodynamic assessment
• Duplex ultrasound interpretation
• Diagnostic reporting
• Clinical correlation
• Quality assurance measures

Special emphasis is placed on integrating imaging findings into clinical decision-making.

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Dialysis Access & Bypass Graft Surveillance

Specialized sessions cover:

• Hemodialysis access evaluation
• Arteriovenous fistulas
• Dialysis graft surveillance
• Bypass graft monitoring
• Detection of stenosis and graft failure
• Post-procedural follow-up strategies

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Endovascular Intervention Follow-Up

Participants review ultrasound applications for:

• Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)
• Peripheral arterial interventions
• Stent surveillance
• Restenosis detection
• Long-term vascular monitoring

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RPVI Examination Preparation

A major component of the course focuses on preparing participants for RPVI certification.

Topics include:

• High-yield examination content
• Board-style case reviews
• Diagnostic interpretation strategies
• Ultrasound physics review
• Vascular pathology recognition
• Examination-taking techniques

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Vascular Laboratory Development

The course also provides practical guidance on establishing and managing a vascular laboratory.

Topics include:

• Laboratory design
• Accreditation standards
• Staffing requirements
• Quality improvement
• Workflow optimization
• Regulatory compliance

Participants gain valuable insights for building successful vascular diagnostic programs.

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Educational Features

✔ Comprehensive RPVI Board Review

✔ Expert Faculty from Leading Academic Centers

✔ Practical Case-Based Learning

✔ Vascular Ultrasound Interpretation Training

✔ Ultrasound Physics Review

✔ Cerebrovascular & Peripheral Vascular Imaging

✔ Vascular Laboratory Development Strategies

✔ Evidence-Based Clinical Applications

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Target Audience

This course is ideal for:

• Primary Care Physicians
• Vascular Medicine Specialists
• Vascular Surgeons
• Cardiologists
• Radiologists
• Neurologists
• Ultrasound Technologists
• Nurse Practitioners
• Physician Assistants
• Nurses
• Allied Health Professionals

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Why This Course Stands Out

• Comprehensive RPVI-focused curriculum.
• Faculty from leading academic vascular centers.
• Strong emphasis on practical interpretation skills.
• Extensive case-based learning approach.
• Covers both clinical practice and laboratory development.
• Suitable for physicians and vascular technologists alike.
• Directly applicable to daily vascular diagnostic practice.
• Excellent preparation for RPVI certification.

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Clinical & Educational Value

The Harvard Clinical Approach to Vascular Ultrasound and RPVI Prep Course 2026 delivers a thorough review of vascular ultrasound principles, diagnostic interpretation, and laboratory management. By combining vascular physics, arterial and venous diagnostics, cerebrovascular imaging, abdominal vascular evaluation, and RPVI-focused board preparation, this program provides clinicians and technologists with the expertise needed to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve patient care, and advance professional certification goals.