New Insights on Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension and Pulmonary Hypertension Related to Left Heart Disease

Activity Overview

Pulmonary hypertension is defined hemodynamically as having either pre-capillary (Groups 1, 3, 4, and some Group 5) or post-capillary physiology. Idiopathic and associated types of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) are examples of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension. PAH is a progressive condition that results in right-sided heart failure and untimely death. In contrast, isolated post-capillary pulmonary hypertension may be caused by diseases such as heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). In some cases, both pre- and post-capillary PH may co-exist; this is known as combined pre-and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension (CpcPH). Understanding the differences in the clinical presentation, hemodynamic differences, and proper workup of pulmonary hypertension is critical to safely and effectively managing these patients. This program will discuss the assessment and diagnosis as well as management options for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension and post-capillary pulmonary hypertension related to left heart disease.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for an audience of cardiologists and other healthcare providers interested in the management PAH patients.

Learning Objectives

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

• Differentiate the clinical presentation, hemodynamics, and diagnostic criteria for pre-capillary pulmonary arterial hypertension and post-capillary pulmonary venous hypertension related to left heart disease.
• Summarize treatment guidelines for pulmonary arterial hypertension.
• Plan a collaborative care management approach for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Criteria for Success

To obtain credit, a score of 70% or better is required. This activity is offered at no cost to participants. Please proceed with the activity until you have successfully completed this program, answered all test questions, completed the evaluation, and have received a digital copy of your credit certificate. If you have any questions relating to the accreditation of this activity, please contact AKH at tbrignoni@akhcme.com

CE credit provided by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare. 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.

Physicians
AKH Inc., Advancing Knowledge in Healthcare designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Commercial Support

This activity is supported from an independent medical education grant from Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc.

Disclousures

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.

Faculty
Ronald Oudiz, MD (Chair) has disclosed the following relevant financial relationships:
Advisor - Actelion/JnJ/Janssen, Acceleron/Merck, Aerami, Aerovate, Gossamer Bio, Insmed, Liquidia, OptumRx, Respira, United Therapeutics; Researcher - Actelion/JnJ/Janssen, Acceleron/Merck, Gossamer Bio, Insmed, Liquidia, United Therapeutics

AKH Staff and Planners
Jonathan D. Agnew, PhD, MBA, Medical Writer/Interviewer: has nothing to disclose.
Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, Lead Nurse Planner/Reviewer: has nothing to disclose.
Michele Bielarski, RN Planner/Reviewer: has nothing to disclose.
AKH Planners and Reviewers: have nothing to disclose.
All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

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.

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.

Required hardware/software:

A computer with an internet connection
Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 7.x or higher, Firefox 4.x or higher, Safari 2.x or higher, or any other W3C
standards compliant browser
Other additional software may be required such as PowerPoint or Adobe Acrobat Reader

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