Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in Systemic Sclerosis: Characteristics and Diagnosis

Dr. Silver presents this course which discusses the diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension in systemic sclerosis. This includes an overview of scleroderma-the classification criteria,predominant subtypes and a look at the causes of PAH in scleroderma patients.

Course Author

Richard M. Silver, MD

Distinguished University Professor
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina

Course Reviewer

Virginia Steen, MD

Professor of Medicine
Division of Rheumatology
Georgetown, University Medical Center
Washington, DC

Robert P. Frantz, MD

Director, Mayo Pulmonary Hypertension Clinic
Director, Cardiovascular Studies Unit
Associate Professor of Medicine, Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine
Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Recognize the features of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc)
2. Identify the classification of SSC
3. List the multifactorial causes of dyspnea
4. Describe the causes of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in SSc
5. Discuss the diagnosis of PAH in SSc

Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA). College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation

College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, designates this enduring material for a maximum of .75 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Instructions for Earning Credit

This activity is a self-study program. Upon entering the activity, participants should read the text, examine any images and/or multimedia features, and review the content presented within all of the links provided. Once the course has been reviewed in its entirety, participants will be asked to complete a post-test and evaluation online. Participants must receive a test score of 100% in order to proceed to the course evaluation; the post-test can be repeated until all questions are answered correctly. All evaluation questions must be completed in order to receive a certificate of credit. If needed, participants may save their answers and complete the course at a later date. Saved courses can be found on the "My Activities" page, accessed via "My Account" at the top of the page.

Faculty Disclosures

College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic adheres to ACCME Essential Areas and Policies, including the Standards for Commercial Support, regarding industry support of continuing medical education. In order to resolve any identified conflicts of interest, disclosure information is provided during the planning process to ensure resolution of any identified conflicts. Disclosure of faculty and commercial relationships as well as the discussion of unlabeled or unapproved use of any drug, device or procedure by the faculty is listed below.
Richard M. Silver, MD, indicates he has served on the speaker's bureau for Actelion, received grant/research support from United Therapeutics and received honoraria from Actelion.
Virginia Steen, MD, indicates she has worked as a consultant for Pfizer and Gilead, has served in the speaker's bureau for Gilead and Actelion and has received grant/research support from Gilead, Actelion, United Therapeutics and Pfizer.
Robert P. Frantz, MD, has worked as a consultant for Pfizer and has received grant/research support from United Therapeutics.

Disclaimer

The information presented in this activity reflects the views of the faculty only and not necessarily those of the Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA), College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, or the educational grant providers. All participants should verify the information and data presented before treating patients or utilizing any therapies noted in these materials. No portion of this activity may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of PHA.
This activity is made possible through unrestricted educational grants from Actelion, Gilead, and United Therapeutics.

Estimated Time to Complete This Activity

.75 hours

Privacy Policy

For information about the PHA's privacy policy, visit http://www.PHAssociation.org/PrivacyPolicy.

This activity is made possible through unrestricted educational grants from Actelion, Gilead, and United Therapeutics.

©2012 Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 801 Roeder Road, Suite 1000, Silver Spring, MD 21910.