CME Section
Program Overview
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), an incurable disease, is characterized by medial hypertrophy, intimal fibrosis, and in situ thrombi in small muscular pulmonary arteries PAH was considered a rapidly fatal illness with a median survival of 2.8 years in the 1980s when no evidence-based therapies were available. Since then the treatment of this disease has made tremendous advances, and the last 10 years have seen the discovery of new medications that have positively influenced the prognosis and survival of patients with PAH.
This self-study activity is based on 3 articles that review the latest information on new treatments, combinations of therapies, and data from phase 1 and 2 clinical trials.
This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Michigan Medical School and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association and supported by an unrestricted education grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc, Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Pfizer, Inc, and United Therapeutics Corporation.
Target Audience
This self-study activity is appropriate for cardiologists, pulmonologists, rheumatologists, and other physicians who treat patients with pulmonary hypertension.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity participants will be able to:
- To review the prevalence, demographics, and risk factors of pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
- To review the pathology/pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
- To review the treatment and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
- To review the association of antiphospholipid antibodies and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
- To review the treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
- To review the epidemiology, risk factors, and biomarkers for pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma.
- To review diagnosis and screening of pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma.
- To review the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma.
Self-Assessment Examination
See pages 299 and 300 for self-assessment questions, answer key, and evaluation form.
Faculty
Chair
Kristin B. Highland, MD, MSCR
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, and Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
Contributing Authors
Kristin B. Highland, MD, MSCR
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, and Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
Gary Gilkeson, MD
Division of Rheumatology and Immunology Department of Medicine Medical University of South Carolina
Raj S. Kasthuri, MD
Robert A. S. Roubey, MD
Department of Medicine and Thurston Arthritis Research Center The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Victoria K. Shanmugam, MD
Virginia D. Steen, MD
Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy, Georgetown University Hospital
Accreditation Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Michigan Medical School and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. The University of Michigan is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education to physicians.
Credit Designation
The University of Michigan Medical School designates this activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Instructions for Earning Credit
This activity is a self-study program; a self-assessment examination is included on page 299 to help physicians review important points. A form is also included on page 300 for physicians to evaluate the CME activity. Completion of this activity involves reading the journal and completing the self-assessment examination and evaluation form, which may take up to 2 hours. Credits for this self-study program are available from September 15, 2008 through September 15, 2009. There is no fee for this program.
Please note that this self-study program may also be viewed online at: http://www.cme.med.umich.edu
University of Michigan Privacy Statement
http://www.cme.med.umich.edu/privacy.asp
Sponsorship
This CME self-study program is jointly sponsored by the University of Michigan Medical School and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.
Support
This CME self-study program is supported by an educational grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., and United Therapeutics Corporation.
Oversite and Accreditation
Arlene Bradford, BA
Assistant Director
Office of CME
University of Michigan Medical School
Disclosures
The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Association of American Colleges have standards and guidelines to ensure that individuals participating in CME activities are aware of relationships between authors and commercial companies that could potentially affect the information presented. The University of Michigan Medical School follows these national policies to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its CME activities. Each author was asked to complete a disclosure information form for this activity. Disclosures are reported below.
Kristin Highland, MD, is on the Speaker's Bureau of Actelion Pharmaceuticals, United Therapueitcs, and Gilead Sciences. She receives grant/research support from Actelion Pharmaceuticals, United Therapeutics, and Gilead Sciences.
Gary Gilkeson, MD, serves as a consultant for and is on the Speaker's Bureau of Genentech, He is a stock shareholder in Taligen Therapeutics.
Raj Kasthuri, MD, has no relevant personal financial relationship to disclose.
Robert Roubey, MD, has no relevant personal financial relationship to disclose.
Victoria Shanmugam, MD, has no relevant personal relationship to disclose.
Virginia Steen, MD, serves as a consultant for Actelion Pharmaceuticals and Gilead Sciences. She is on the Speaker's Bureau of Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences and Abbott Laboratories. She receives grant/ research support from Actelion Pharmaceuticals and Gilead Sciences.
Arlene Bradford, BA, has no relevant personal financial relationships to disclose.
CME Reviewer
Kevin M. Chan, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
University of Michigan Health Systems
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Dr Chan has no relevant personal financial relationships to disclose.