RCIS Syllabus / Exam Blueprint (Content Categories + Weightage)

CCI divides the exam into 5 major job-duty categories (this is the main “syllabus heading list”): 
A. Conducting Pre-Procedural Activities — 10%
B. Conducting Diagnostic Procedures — 42%
C. Conducting Interventional Procedures — 33%
D. Responding to Emergency Procedures & Protocols — 6%
E. Conducting Post-Procedural Activities — 9%

Detailed Syllabus Points (What Topics Are Asked)

A) Conducting Pre-Procedural Activities (10%)

1. Prepare procedure/control room: equipment set-up, radiation safety, sterile technique, QC/QA

2. Prepare patient for procedure

3. Review/validate patient & procedure info: records, labs, time-out, consent, presentation

B) Conducting Diagnostic Procedures (42%)

1. Monitor vitals (HR/rhythm, BP, RR, SpO₂, ETCO₂)

2. Left heart cath (pressure waveforms, pull-back)

3. Right heart cath (CO, Fick, shunts, PVR/SVR, valve areas, congenital procedures)

4. 12-lead ECG analysis (infarct, BBB, ischemia, tamponade)

5. Intracardiac imaging support (ICE)

6. Intravascular imaging support (IVUS, OCT)

7. Identify structures on cardiac ultrasound images

8. FFR / iFR studies

9. Radiation safety (time, distance, shielding, ALARA)

10. Radiographic procedures (set-up, positioning, operation)

11. Acquire/interpret images (cardiac + peripheral vascular)

12. Endomyocardial biopsy assistance

13. Pharmacologic effects (side effects/adverse reactions, pain management)

14. Vascular access support (femoral, radial, brachial, jugular, peripheral)

C) Conducting Interventional Procedures (33%)

1. Device implants: pacemaker, ICD, CRT, loop recorders

2. Coronary interventions: balloon angioplasty, stenting

3. Complex coronary: CTO, atherectomy, alcohol ablation

4. Peripheral interventions: renals, lower extremities, IVC filters, stenting

5. Complex peripheral: carotids, CLI/limb salvage, atherectomy

6. Mechanical circulatory support: IABP, LVAD, Impella

7. Temporary transvenous pacing

8. Pericardiocentesis

9. Cardiac thrombectomy (mechanical/aspiration)

10. Peripheral thrombectomy (mechanical/aspiration) ± thrombolysis

11. Distal protection devices (cardiac/peripheral)

12. Structural heart therapies: ASD, PFO, VSD, PDA, LAA

13. Percutaneous valve interventions: valvuloplasty, TAVR, annuloplasty, PVL, valve repair

14. Endovascular aortic procedures: aneurysm, dissection, coarctation

D) Emergency Procedures & Protocols (6%)

1. Respond to emergencies: STEMI, chest pain, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, limb ischemia, stroke, medication administration, vasovagal, anaphylaxis

2. Maintain/operate emergency equipment: defibrillator, code cart, suction, airway management

E) Post-Procedural Activities (9%)

1. Arterial/venous hemostasis

2. Manage access site complications (bleeding, occlusion)

3. Manage post-procedure complications (stroke, rhythm)

4. Patient education

5. Report & transfer of care

“Core Knowledge Areas” CCI Expects Across All Sections

Use these as your book chapter headings (excellent for a review/TOC):

• Mathematics: conversions/units, shunt calculations, VOA (valve orifice area)

• Medical terminology

• CV anatomy/physiology + pathology/pathophysiology

• Regulatory/compliance standards

• Patient care & assessment + normal/abnormal lab values

• ECG interpretation

• Pharmacology & medication administration

• Hemodynamic waveform recognition

• Imaging: angiography, radiation safety, equipment operation, IVUS, ICE

• Sterile technique + universal precautions

• Diagnostic/interventional procedures (indications, contraindications, complications)

• Hemostasis

• Emergency procedures & equipment