G1.ii · Structure and Function of the Heart

Official V4 objective

Describe the coronary circulation and its regulation.

1 SAQ topic 6 SAQ appearances 5 VIVA stations

Current · V5 (2025) → D4.iv Current · V5 (2025) → D1.ii

Written examination

SAQ history

Coronary Circulation

6 exam appearances

2026B Q13

With respect to the adult coronary circulation: a) State the normal resting coronary blood flow, including appropriate units (5% of marks) b) Describe the anatomy of the coronary arteries including the regions of the heart they supply (20% of marks) c) Describe the flow characteristics of the coronary arteries (15% of marks) d) Briefly outline the venous drainage of the myocardium (10% of marks) e) Describe the regulation of coronary perfusion (50% of marks)

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2023A Q15

Describe the adult coronary circulation (50% of Marks) and its regulation (50% of Marks).

66%

2021A Q19

Describe the adult coronary circulation (50% marks) and its regulation (50% marks).

62%

2018A Q11

Describe the regulation of the coronary circulation.

46%

2014B Q10

Describe the adult coronary circulation (50% of marks) and its regulation (50% of marks).

65%

2008B Q11

Describe the adult coronary circulation (50% of marks). Describe the physiological control of the coronary circulation (50% of marks).

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Oral examination

VIVA history

2020B · Day 2 · VIVA 1
This viva will explore your knowledge of the physiology of coronary blood flow. How is coronary blood flow regulated? (Image removed from report.)

90% successful
2018B · Day 2 · VIVA 7
This viva will test your understanding of the coronary circulation. Describe the anatomy of the coronary circulation.

95% successful
2015B · VIVA 1
This Viva tested the candidates understanding of the immediate and delayed response to a modest amount of blood loss (approx 10% blood volume). Candidates were expected to describe the volume receptors, barorecepetors and renin-angiotensin system. The viva went on to consider the mechanism amd limitations of automated non-invasive blood pressure (DINAMAP) and coronary artery blood flow and its regulation.

Pass rate not reported
2013A · VIVA 1
Tested knowledge of coronary perfusion and blood pressure measurement. It began by asking candidates to describe the coronary artery blood flow.

Pass rate not reported
2011B · VIVA 1
This Viva will examine your knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the coronary circulation. Q 1. Describe the anatomy of the coronary circulation. Subsequent questions explored knowledge of factors that affect coronary artery blood flow (including diagrams), and physiology of beta-receptors.

88.9% successful

Sources: objective text from the relevant CICM syllabus; historical SAQ and VIVA wording from CICM examiner reports.