Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a progressive disease characterized by abnormally high blood pressure in the pulmonary artery, often results in right ventricular dysfunction. PAH is a serious and often progressive disorder that, in severe cases, may lead to right heart failure and death. The pathogenesis of PAH is complex and incompletely understood. Evidence-based practice guidelines for PAH were published in 2004 by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACP), and recent, rapid advances in therapy have evolved that may significantly affect activity tolerance and quality of life for patients with this disease. An update of the evidence-based treatment recommendations was issued by the ACP in 2007. These updated guidelines, which take into consideration studies published before September 1, 2006, provide a summary of the original guidelines, a discussion of new studies, and a revised treatment algorithm taking into account recent developments in therapy. These advances promise to impact the way physicians approach the treatment of PAH.
The explosion of interest and research in PAH is yielding many new and emerging therapies. The updated ACCP treatment guidelines summarize the current approach to therapy for PAH, based on functional class. However, functional class is difficult to quantify, may vary among patient and care providers, and may not always correlate with other indexes of disease severity. The proper diagnosis, classification, and application of pulmonary arterial hypertension-specific therapies have become increasing complex. At the same time, it has become increasingly important for front line practitioners to understand these complexities and apply treatment principles properly based on evidence from the current literature.
This course is intended to heighten awareness for those practitioners of the proper approach to these seriously ill patients. There is tremendous need for education in the community regionally as very few clinicians outside of an expert Pulmonary Hypertension Center setting have been given this education in their training and day-to- day practice. This need for education has become increasingly important as new data published this year revealed that earlier diagnosis and treatment leads to significantly better outcomes for these patients.
Learning Objectives
Participants who attend this conference will be able to:
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Comprehend and apply the World Heath Organization's Classification System
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Explain the pathobiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension and distinguish it from other forms of pulmonary hypertension.
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State the implications of the recently published EARLY trial of functional class II pulmonary arterial hypertension patients.
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Implement therapies reflecting our current state of knowledge regarding the management of pulmonary venous hypertension.
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Define our current state of knowledge regarding pulmonary hypertension associated with pulmonary diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, COPD, and sarcoidosis.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
6 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM
The Conference Center at the Pond House Café
1555 Asylum Avenue
West Hartford, CT
Registration Fees
Registration fee includes all conference materials, continental breakfast, refreshment break, and lunch.
$150 Physicians
$100 PharmD
$75 Nurses/Nurse Practitioners/PAs
$50 Non-Yale Residents/Fellows*
Complimentary Yale Residents/Fellows*
*A letter of verification from department head must accompany registration. If registering online, letter should be sent separately to Yale CME address below.
All cancellations must be received in writing (or via email) at least one week prior to the start of the conference to receive a refund. Any requests for refunds received after this date, or by telephone, will not be honored.
Center for Continuing Medical Education
P.O. Box 7619
New Haven, CT
06519
Accreditation
The Yale School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.
The American Medical Association has determined that physicians not licensed in the US who participate in this CME activity are eligible for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit.
Designation Statement
The Yale School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 6 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Disclosure Policy
It is the policy of Yale School of Medicine, Continuing Medical Education, to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all its educational programs. All faculty participating as speakers in these programs are required to disclose any relevant financial relationship(s) they (or spouse or partner) have with a commercial interest that benefits the individual in any financial amount that has occurred within the past 12 months; and the opportunity to affect the content of CME about the products or services of the commercial interests. The Center for Continuing Medical Education will ensure that any conflicts of interest are resolved before the educational activity occurs.
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