Optimal Identification and Management of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Release: May 1, 2021  

Activity Overview
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Data from the Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management (REVEAL) has shown that the diagnosis of PAH is often missed or delayed with the average length of time from symptom onset to diagnosis estimated to range from 1 to 3 years.

The goal of this educational curriculum is to establish impactful small group interactions between cardiologists and pulmonologists that will, through a variety of collaborative educational experiences, help reduce the time to diagnosis and improve medical management of patients with PAH.
 
This initiative provides an experience that goes beyond the presentation of information, to one that provides an opportunity to discuss priorities with knowledgeable experts and peers, share experiences, and formulate actionable plans to improve the quality of care provided to your patients with PAH.
 
Target Audience
This activity is designed for an audience of Pulmonologists and Cardiologists.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of the educational activity, participants should be able to:

• Review the associations between on early identification, treatment intervention, and outcomes for individuals with pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Discuss the classification, diagnostic screening criteria, diagnosis, and staging of pulmonary arterial hypertension
• Select appropriate pharmacologic and medical management strategies for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension

Criteria for Success 
There is no fee to participate in this activity. To receive CME credit, you must complete:

• Baseline Assessment
• Self Study Modules 1, 2, and 3
• Live Group Sessions 1 and 2
• Final Assessment 
• Activity Evaluation

If you are seeking credit, you must complete the assessment and evaluation at the conclusion of the activity. Your certificate can be printed immediately.  

If you have questions about accreditation for this activity, please contact AKH Inc. at tbrignoni@akhcme.com.

Credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare

In support of improving patient care, AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME credit:
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this hybrid activity for a maximum of 2.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Credit breakdown:

- Baseline Self Assessment - 0.50
- Self Study 1 - 0.25
- Self Study 2 - 0.25
- Self Study 3 - 0.25
- Final Self Assessment - 0.50
- Live Group Session 1 - 0.50
- Live Group Session 2 - 0.50

Commercial Support
Supported by an educational grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson.

Disclosure 
It is the policy of AKH Inc. to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of its continuing education activities. The author must disclose to the participants any significant relationships with ineligible companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in the activity or with the commercial supporter of this continuing education activity. Identified conflicts of interest are mitigated by AKH prior to accreditation of the activity. AKH planners and reviewers have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Timothy Fernandes  MD, MPH has disclosed the following financial relationships: Research - United Therapeutics; Speaker - Bayer

Sandeep Sahay  MD has nothing to disclose.

Sophia Airhart, MD has disclosed the following financial relationships: Consultant - United Therapeutics, Bayer, Abbott; Speaker - United Therapeutics, Bayer

Charles Burger has disclosed the following financial relationships: Advisor - Altavant Sciences; Researcher - Janssen, United Therapeutics

Martha Kingman  FNP-C, DNP  has disclosed the following financial relationships: Advisor - Jansen/ Johnson and Johnson, Bayer, Acceleron/ Merk, United Therapeutics, Liquidia; Consultant - Jansen/ Johnson and Johnson, Bayer, Acceleron/ Merk, Liquidia, Aerovate

Steven Kawut, MD has disclosed the following financial relationships: Advisor - United Therapeutics, Acceleron, Vivus Consultant - Janssen, Researcher - physIQ (in kind contribution)

Corinne Young, MSN, FNP-C, FCCP has nothing to disclose.
 

AKH STAFF AND PLANNERS DISCLOSURES

Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, AKH Director of Accreditation, Planner: has no financial relationships to disclose.

AKH and RealCME Planners and Reviewers have no financial relationships to disclose.

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated

Disclaimer
This course is designed solely to provide the healthcare professional with information to assist in his/her practice and professional development and is not to be considered a diagnostic tool to replace professional advice or treatment. The course serves as a general guide to the healthcare professional, and therefore, cannot be considered as giving legal, nursing, medical, or other professional advice in specific cases. AKH Inc. specifically disclaim responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Disclosure of Unlabeled Use and Investigational Product
This educational activity may include discussion of uses of agents that are investigational and/or unapproved by the FDA. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.

Faculty
Sandeep Sahay, MD, FCCP
Associate Professor of Medicine
Weill Cornell Medical College
Co-Director CTEPH Program
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, Texas

Dr Sahay is pulmonologist with extensive clinical and research interest in pulmonary vascular diseases. He works at Pulmonary Hypertension Comprehensive Care Center at the Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, Texas where he is co-director for PH and CTEPH programs. He currently serves as PI on many clinical trials. He is member of ACCP CHEST PVD network. He has published numerous scientific papers related to pulmonary hypertension and was awarded ACCP CHEST PAH research grant in 2017. Dr. Sahay also serves on editorial board for pulmonary circulation journal and Associated Editor for Respiratory Medicine Journal. He considers taking care of PH patients as one of the most satisfying experience.

Timothy Fernandes, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Medicine
UC San Diego Health
La Jolla, California

Timothy Fernandes, MD, MPH, is a board-certified pulmonologist who focuses on pulmonary vascular disease. He has a special interest in caring for patients who have venous thromboembolism, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
Dr. Fernandes is active in clinical research investigating the progression of acute pulmonary embolism to chronic thromboembolic disease (CTEPH), and patient outcomes following pulmonary endarterectomy (PTE) surgery. He has been awarded the CHEST Foundation Clinical Research Grant in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Summit of North America Travel Award.
Dr. Fernandes completed his fellowship training at UC San Diego School of Medicine and his residency at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, where he served as chief medical resident from 2009-2010. He earned his medical degree at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. Dr. Fernandes is board certified in critical care medicine, pulmonary disease and internal medicine and is a fellow of the College of Chest Physicians.