Free Practice Questions for Iraqi Board Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery
Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.
Loading practice questions...
Explore More Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (البورد العراقي — IBMS)
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: Iraqi Board Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Exam
F.I.B.M.S.
Credential Awarded
60%
Written Pass Standard
3 Stages
Primary, Mid-Term, Final
English
Examination Language
The Iraqi Board of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery certification is governed by the Scientific Council of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery under the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (IBMS / المجلس العراقي للاختصاصات الطبية) and MOHESR. The pathway features structured residency training, a Primary Examination (basic surgical sciences and fundamentals, pass mark 60%), a Mid-term clinical/OSCE evaluation in Year 4, and a Final Board Examination comprising a two-day written MCQ/EMQ exam (pass mark 60% per paper), a clinical OSCE/viva examination, and thesis defense. Note that the full board credential requires clinical operative training and practical assessment; this 100-question practice bank is an independent English-language preparation resource focused exclusively on the theoretical written knowledge base tested across Part 1 and Part 2.
Sample Iraqi Board Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Iraqi Board Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1During median sternotomy and initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass for coronary artery bypass grafting, the surgeon introduces a finger into the transverse pericardial sinus to encircle the ascending aorta. Which anatomical structures form the anterior and posterior boundaries of this surgical space?
2A cardiothoracic surgeon is placing a retrograde cardioplegia catheter through a right atriotomy. The cannula must enter the coronary sinus ostium located in the inferior aspect of the right atrium. What anatomical landmark or valve guards this ostium, and what is the primary risk of aggressive blind instrumentation?
3During tricuspid valve annuloplasty for functional tricuspid regurgitation, the surgeon must strictly avoid placing sutures in the apex of the Triangle of Koch. Which boundaries delineate this critical triangular zone, and what conduction structure resides at its apex?
4A 62-year-old male is scheduled for elective aortic valve replacement. Before aortic cannulation and initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), systemic heparin is administered at 300-400 units/kg. What is the molecular mechanism of unfractionated heparin, and what target Activated Clotting Time (ACT) is mandatory prior to bypass initiation?
5A 58-year-old patient with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction who has been receiving an intravenous unfractionated heparin infusion for 4 days is in the operating room for urgent CABG. After receiving a standard bolus of 300 IU/kg of heparin, the baseline ACT of 140 seconds increases only to 280 seconds. A repeat bolus of 100 IU/kg raises the ACT to only 310 seconds. What is the most likely cause, and what is the definitive immediate management?
6Following uncomplicated separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, protamine sulfate is infused intravenously to neutralize heparin. Two minutes into the infusion, the patient experiences profound systemic hypotension, severe right ventricular distension, and a precipitous rise in mean pulmonary artery pressure from 22 mmHg to 55 mmHg. What is the pathophysiological mechanism of this catastrophic Type III protamine reaction?
7Del Nido cardioplegia has gained widespread acceptance in adult and pediatric cardiac surgery. Which statement accurately describes its formulation and key cellular mechanism of myocardial protection compared to conventional 4:1 blood cardioplegia?
8A key objective of cardioplegic arrest and systemic hypothermia on cardiopulmonary bypass is the dramatic reduction of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2). By approximately what percentage does the combination of electromechanical cardiac arrest and moderate hypothermia (28°C) reduce basal normothermic beating MVO2?
9During initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, the perfusionist notes that as arterial pump flow is increased toward full support (2.4 L/min/m2), the arterial line pressure suddenly spikes to >300 mmHg while systemic radial arterial pressure falls to 35 mmHg. Simultaneously, the surgical field reveals a localized bluish discoloration and subadventitial hematoma around the ascending aortic cannulation site. What catastrophic event has occurred, and what is the immediate management?
10Which surgical cardiac procedure strictly requires bicaval cannulation with snared superior and inferior vena cavae, rather than single dual-stage (cavoatrial) venous cannulation?
About the Iraqi Board Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Exam
The Fellowship of the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (F.I.B.M.S.) in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery is the premier national postgraduate surgical qualification in Iraq, certifying clinical, operative, and academic mastery across cardiac, thoracic, and vascular surgery.
Exam sponsor: Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (IBMS) — Scientific Council of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Postgraduate certification under the Scientific Council of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (IBMS) requires completion of a multi-year structured surgical residency encompassing cardiothoracic, vascular, general surgical, and intensive care rotations. Assessment proceeds in distinct milestones: the Primary Examination (Part 1) tests core surgical sciences and surgical fundamentals using single-best-answer MCQs with a 60% passing standard; the Mid-term Examination in Year 4 evaluates clinical decision-making via a slide-based exam and 8 OSCE stations; and the Final Board Examination (Part 2) comprises a rigorous two-day written examination (3 hours per session of single-best-answer and extended matching questions; pass mark 60% per paper), followed by clinical OSCE stations, operative case defense and vivas, and thesis defense. The council publishes a pass mark of 60 out of 100 for both the Primary and the Final Examination and does not publish any overall composite residency average.
Time Limit
3 hours per written session (two written papers over two consecutive days for Part 2 Final Written)
Passing Score
60 out of 100 for the Primary Examination (a single best answer paper conducted by the Scientific Council of General Surgery) and 60 out of 100 for the Final Examination, as published by the Scientific Council of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. No overall composite residency average is published.
Exam / Certification Fees
Prescribed by IBMS and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) regulatory bylaws and tuition schedules.
Exam sponsor websiteReported exam pass rate: Official specialty pass rates are not published publicly as a continuous series by the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations.. The Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations does not release public annual specialty pass percentages for thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. Exam sponsor website
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Cardiothoracic Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology & Cardiopulmonary Bypass
Coronary and cardiac surgical anatomy, pulmonary segments, tracheobronchial tree, mediastinal compartments, cardiac and respiratory physiology, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion, extracorporeal circulation circuits, oxygenators, systemic heparinization, protamine reversal, and cardioplegia delivery strategies.
Adult Cardiac Surgery
Surgical revascularization for ischemic heart disease, on-pump and off-pump CABG, arterial and venous conduit selection, aortic valve replacement and repair, mitral valve repair and replacement, tricuspid interventions, infective endocarditis, aortic root and ascending aortic aneurysm reconstruction, and mechanical circulatory support (IABP, ECMO, VADs).
General Thoracic Surgery
Staging and surgical resection of non-small cell lung cancer, sleeve resections, anterior/middle/posterior mediastinal tumors, thymoma, myasthenia gravis, pleural space infections, empyema management, spontaneous and secondary pneumothorax, chest wall deformities, blunt and penetrating thoracic trauma, tracheobronchial disruption, and surgical stabilization of rib fractures.
Congenital Heart Disease
Pathophysiology and surgical management of simple left-to-right shunts (ASD, VSD, PDA, AVSD), cyanotic congenital anomalies, Tetralogy of Fallot complete repair and systemic-to-pulmonary shunts, transposition of the great arteries (arterial switch operation), coarctation of the aorta, aortic arch interruption, and single ventricle palliation staging.
Vascular Surgery & Critical Postoperative Management
Descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms and dissections (Stanford and DeBakey classifications), open and endovascular interventions (TEVAR), peripheral arterial occlusive disease, carotid artery revascularization, vascular trauma, and post-cardiotomy critical care (low cardiac output syndrome, vasoactive inotropic support, postcardiotomy bleeding, tamponade, and tachyarrhythmias).
Preparing for the Iraqi Board Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 60 out of 100 for the Primary Examination (a single best answer paper conducted by the Scientific Council of General Surgery) and 60 out of 100 for the Final Examination, as published by the Scientific Council of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. No overall composite residency average is published.
- Assessment: Postgraduate certification under the Scientific Council of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery of the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (IBMS) requires completion of a multi-year structured surgical residency encompassing cardiothoracic, vascular, general surgical, and intensive care rotations. Assessment proceeds in distinct milestones: the Primary Examination (Part 1) tests core surgical sciences and surgical fundamentals using single-best-answer MCQs with a 60% passing standard; the Mid-term Examination in Year 4 evaluates clinical decision-making via a slide-based exam and 8 OSCE stations; and the Final Board Examination (Part 2) comprises a rigorous two-day written examination (3 hours per session of single-best-answer and extended matching questions; pass mark 60% per paper), followed by clinical OSCE stations, operative case defense and vivas, and thesis defense. The council publishes a pass mark of 60 out of 100 for both the Primary and the Final Examination and does not publish any overall composite residency average.
- Time limit: 3 hours per written session (two written papers over two consecutive days for Part 2 Final Written)
- Exam / certification fees: Prescribed by IBMS and Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) regulatory bylaws and tuition schedules. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
Iraqi Board Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Iraqi Board of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery (البورد العراقي - جراحة القلب والصدر)?
The Iraqi Board in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery is the highest national postgraduate surgical qualification in Iraq, administered by the Scientific Council of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery under the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (IBMS / المجلس العراقي للاختصاصات الطبية) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR). Successful graduates are awarded the Fellowship of the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations (F.I.B.M.S.) and certified as consultant-track cardiothoracic surgeons.
What are the components and progression of the IBMS Cardiothoracic examination pathway?
The examination pathway comprises three core evaluation milestones: (1) The Primary Examination (Part 1), sat after foundational training, testing core surgical sciences, anatomy, physiology, and pathology using single-best-answer MCQs (pass mark 60%); (2) The Mid-term Examination in Year 4, featuring 10 slide-based questions and 8 OSCE stations; and (3) The Final Board Examination (Part 2), which includes a two-day written MCQ and extended matching paper (3 hours per session, pass mark 60% per paper), followed by clinical OSCE stations, operative viva voce, and thesis defense, with an overall composite standard of 70% required by IBMS regulations.
Does this 100-question practice bank simulate the clinical OSCE or replace operative residency?
No. This practice bank is strictly an independent English-language cognitive study resource covering the core theoretical syllabus for the Part 1 and Part 2 written examination papers. It does not provide clinical OSCE station simulations, practical operative assessments, or live viva voce examinations, nor does it substitute for the multi-year supervised operative residency required by the Iraqi Board.
In what language are the Iraqi Board surgical examinations conducted?
The Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations publishes this council's curriculum, syllabus and reference list in English, and English-language proficiency appears among the admission requirements set by the Ministry. The council's published curriculum does not, however, contain any statement of the language in which the examination papers themselves are set, so no language of assessment is asserted here. Bedside clinical assessment necessarily involves communicating with Arabic-speaking patients, but the council does not publish how that is handled in the examination. This site is an independent English-language study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Iraqi Board for Medical Specializations; candidates should confirm the language of their sitting directly with their Scientific Council.
What are the candidate eligibility requirements for entry into the IBMS Cardiothoracic training program?
Applicants must hold an MBChB or equivalent primary medical degree from an accredited medical college recognized by MOHESR, have completed a mandatory one-year foundation internship, hold permanent registration with the Iraqi Medical Association (IMA), and achieve a competitive ranking in the Iraqi national competitive entrance examination.