Performance Improvement Outcomes (PI CME) Activity

Target Audience

Cardiologists with an emphasis on non-invasive specialists, prevention-oriented cardiologists, invasive specialists, coronary care unit (CCU) specialists and directors, program directors of cardiovascular medicine, primary care physicians with an interest in cardiology, hospitalists and fellows in cardiovascular medicine.

Educational Objectives

At the conclusion of the activity, participants will be able to:

  • Identify signs, symptoms, and prognostic features of acute coronary syndrome and related ischemic conditions, and their implications for invasive vascular management.
  • Describe the role of platelets in thrombosis and the development of acute coronary syndromes and review the results of key trials of antiplatelet therapies, both completed and ongoing, and their effects on clinical practice.
  • Apply current AHA/ACC guidelines for non ST-Elevation myocardial infarction to appropriately risk-stratified patients with unstable angina and acute coronary syndrome.
  • Identify emerging biomarkers of atherosclerosis and their incorporation into clinical practice.
  • Characterize, identify, and evaluate the safety, efficacy, and side effects of therapeutic options used for acute ischemic coronary syndromes including, aspirin, antiplatelet agents, direct thrombin inhibitors, UFH, LMWHs, and factor Xa inhibitors.
  • Develop strategies to improve both physician adherence to ACS guidelines and patient adherence to prescribed ACS treatments.
  • Review the clinical evidence and validate the importance of achieving an LDL-C of less than 70 mg/dL in patients with acute coronary syndrome.
  • Discuss the role of lipoproteins in the pathogenesis of the vulnerable plaque, understand the risk associated with low HDL in patients with acute coronary syndrome, and review ongoing trials evaluating lipoprotein changes in patients with ACS.
  • Apply the use of cardiovascular genomics to predict risk for acute coronary syndrome.

Co-Course Chairs

  • Christopher P. Cannon, M.D.
    Senior Investigator, TIMI Study Group
    Cardiovascular Division,
    Brigham and Women’s Hospital
    Associate Professor of Medicine,
    Harvard Medical School
    Cambridge, MA
  • Sandeep Nathan, M.D., MS
    Assistant Professor of Medicine
    Director
    Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Program
    The University of Chicago
    Chicago, IL

CME Accreditation

  • The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine

Disclaimer Statement

The views expressed in this activity are those of the program faculty. It should not be inferred or assumed that they are expressing the views of any pharmaceutical or product/device manufacturer, provider of commercial services, or the University of Chicago. The drug selection and dosage information presented in this activity are believed to be accurate. However, participants are urged to consult the FDA-approved Full Prescribing/Utilization Information on any agent(s) presented in this activity for recommended dosage, indications, contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse effects before prescribing any medication.

Disclosures

  • Christopher P. Cannon, M.D.
    Grant/Research Support: Accumetrics, Inc., AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Automedics Medical Systems, Bristol-Myers Squibb/sanofiaventis, GlaxoSmithKline, Intekrin Therapeutics, Merck & Co., Inc., Merck/Schering Plough, Novartis, Takeda Pharmaceuticals.
  • Sandeep Nathan, M.D., MSC
    Consultant: sanofi-aventis, Schering-Plough.
    Research Support: Medicure, Inc.
    Speakers Bureau: Medtronic, Inc., sanofi-aventis.
  • University of Chicago Center for Continuing Medical Education
    The staff of the Center for Continuing Medical Education have no financial arrangements or affiliations to disclose.
  • Intelligent Medical Decisions, Inc.
    The staff of iMD have no financial arrangements or affiliations to disclose.

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 20.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s Standards for Commercial Support, all planners, teachers, and authors involved in the development of CME content are required to disclose to the accredited provider their relevant financial relationships. Relevant financial relationships will be disclosed to the activity audience.

Faculty, topics, program schedule and credit hours are subject to change. Audio taping or video taping is prohibited without written permission from the program director and the University of Chicago Center for Continuing Medical Education.