Activity Downloads

To Participate

To participate in this continuing education activity:

1. Review the activity description and objectives.
2. View the activity.
3. Complete the online post-test and activity evaluation.

Note: If you attended the live CE activity AND received CE credit (i.e. a nurse or pharmacist CE statement of credit with ACPE UAN 0221-0000-18-373-L01-P), you are NOT allowed to also receive credit for this home-study on-demand web activity.

Activity Description

New treatment paradigms have emerged as the number and types of pharmacotherapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) continue to increase. Despite the improved understanding of the pathobiology of PAH, and the availability of guidelines for risk stratification, PAH continues to be misidentified and underdiagnosed. The options for monotherapy, drug combinations, and sequential treatment can be used to tailor therapy for patients with PAH and improve outcomes. This activity will provide pharmacists and nurses with an improved knowledge of PAH, including a review of pathophysiology, disease subcategories, diagnosis, treatment guidelines, approved therapies, disease progression, and disease monitoring recommendations. The role of the Specialty Pharmacy Team in optimizing outcomes will be discussed and explored. Discussions will emphasize collaborative care and the importance of interprofessional communication, particularly between outpatient and inpatient teams. Strategies for effective patient-caregiver communication will also be discussed and presented through the use of case studies.

Learning Objectives

The target audience for this activity is pharmacists and nurses interested in or practicing in Specialty Pharmacy. After completing the activity, participants should be able to:

• Discuss the pathophysiology and progression of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH), including the role of the nitric oxide, endothelin, and prostacyclin pathways.
• Differentiate treatments for PAH based on mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, and monitoring requirements.
• Outline therapeutic strategies to manage PAH, including reassessment and adjustment to achieve low-risk.
• Characterize the role of specialty pharmacy in optimizing individualized PAH therapy.

Faculty

James C. Coons, PharmD, FCCP, BCPS-AQ Cardiology
Associate Professor
University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy
Clinical Pharmacist, Cardiology
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Presbyterian Hospital
PGY2 Cardiology Residency Program Director
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Erin Lopata, PharmD, MPH
Manager, Clinical Pharmacy
UPMC Health Plan
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

CE Accreditation

Release Date: September 25, 2018
Expiration Date: September 25, 2021

Pharmacists

ProCE, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACPE Universal Activity Number 0221-0000-18-373-H01-P has been assigned to this home study knowledge-based activity (initial release date 9-25-2018). This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) in states that recognize ACPE providers. The activity is provided at no cost to participants. Participants must complete the online post-test and activity evaluation within 30 days of the activity to receive pharmacy CE credit. No partial credit will be given. Statements of completion will be issued online at www.ProCE.com, and proof of completion will be posted in NABP CPE Monitor profiles.

Nurses

This CE activity is jointly provided by ProCE, Inc. and Wild Iris Medical Education, Inc. This activity provides 1.5 contact hours of nurse CE credit.

Wild Iris Medical Education, Inc. is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Disclosure

It is the policy of ProCE, Inc. to ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all of its continuing education activities. Faculty must disclose to participants any significant financial interest or affiliation with companies that manufacture or market products discussed during their presentation. Dr. Coons is an Investigator for United Therapeutics. Dr. Lopata has no relevant commercial or financial relationships to disclose. A portion of grant funds received by ProCE from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. will be used to compensate the faculty for this presentation.

Please note: The opinions expressed in this activity should not be construed as those of the CE provider. The information and views presented in this activity are those of the faculty through clinical practice and knowledge of the professional literature. Portions of this activity may include the use of drugs and/or devices for unlabeled indications, which should be considered experimental. Participants are advised to consult manufacturer product information and the professional literature, and use professional judgment in applying the presented information in patient-care activities.

Funding

This CE activity is supported by an educational grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. and AllianceRx Walgreens Prime.

The material presented in this CE activity does not reflect the views of ProCE, Inc. or the commercial sponsor. These materials may discuss uses and dosages for therapeutic products, processes, procedures and inferred diagnoses that have not been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. A qualified health care professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product discussed. All readers and continuing education participants should verify all information and data before treating patients or employing any therapies described in this continuing education activity.