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 pharmacist CE statement of credit with ACPE UAN 0221-0000-18-395-L01-P), you are NOT allowed to also receive credit for this home-study on-demand web activity.

Activity Description

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a relatively uncommon disorder, is a subcategory of pulmonary hypertension. PAH is complicated by progressive remodeling of the distal pulmonary arteries, leading to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance, and eventual right ventricular failure and premature death. The pathobiology of PAH, prognostic indicators, and therapeutic options have exploded, and thorough evaluation patients is critical to correctly diagnose PAH. Data shows patients are often diagnosed later than symptom onset, and by that time the disease has already caused significant underlying damage.

This activity will provide learners with foundational knowledge of PAH, including the role of several unique pathways. Attendees will be able to better apply guideline recommendations and understand disease monitoring requirements. Pharmacological treatments will be discussed with a focus on agent mechanisms, safety, and therapy monitoring. Strategies to optimize patient care and communication will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives

The target audience for this activity includes health‐system, specialty, and managed care pharmacists, including chief pharmacy officers and pharmacy directors, and nurses in health-system settings. At the completion of this activity, the participant will be better able to:

• Discuss the pathophysiology, causative risk factors, and clinical presentations of critically ill patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), including the role of the nitric oxide, endothelin, and prostacyclin pathways.
• Apply the latest clinical practice guidelines for treating PAH, including best practices for sequencing therapies, monitoring patients, and offering supportive care.
• Differentiate treatments for PAH based on mechanism of action, efficacy, safety, and monitoring requirements.
• List strategies to optimize and individualize patient care, including approaches to communication with patients and caregivers.

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

Amy Kimber, RN, APNP
Nurse Practitioner for the Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

CE Accreditation

Release Date: 1-25-2019
Expiration Date: 1-25-2022

Pharmacists

ProCE, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. ACPE Universal Activity Number 0221-0000-19-053-H01-P has been assigned to this home study knowledge-based activity (initial release date 1-25-19). This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEUs) 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 to receive pharmacy CE credit. Statements of completion will be issued online at www.ProCE.com and proof of completion will be posted in NABP CPE Monitor profiles. No partial credit will be given.

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 and a Consultant for Medicure. Ms. Kimber is a Speaker for ZappRx and an Advisory Board Member for Actelion, Arena, and Bayer. 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, NASP, or Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc. 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 activity is supported by an educational grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., with additional support provided by the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.

    

The material presented in this CE activity does not reflect the views of ProCE, LLC 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.