Program Overview

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), an incurable disease, is characterized by medial hypertrophy, intimal
fibrosis, and in situ thrombi in small muscular pulmonary arteries. PAH was considered a rapidly fatal illness with
a median survival of 2.8 years in the 1980s when no evidence-based therapies were available. Since then
the treatment of this disease has made tremendous advances, and the last 10 years have seen the discovery
of new medications that have positively influenced the prognosis and survival of patients with PAH.

This self-study activity is based on 5 articles that review the latest information on new treatments, combinations
of therapies, and data from phase 1 and 2 clinical trials.

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Michigan Medical School and the Pulmonary Hypertension
Association and supported by an unrestricted education grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc, Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Gilead Sciences, Inc, Pfizer, Inc, and United Therapeutics Corporation.

Target Audience

This self-study activity is appropriate for cardiologists, pulmonologists, rheumatologists, and other physicians who treat patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity participants will be able to:

Review the various animal models used in PH research to date
Compare and contrast the different pathological findings in animal models of PH
Define the metabolic syndrome
Define “diabetic cardiomyopathy”
Review the effects of metabolic syndrome on energy production in cardiac myocytes
Identify novel hemodynamic measurements that can be made during right heart catheterization

Self-Assessment Examination

View the entire articles.
Complete the online posttest and evaluation.
Complete the electronic credit request and activity evaluation. An electronic certificate of participation will be provided immediately.
Print the certificate of participation for your personal records.

Faculty

Karen Fagan, MD
Chief, Division of Pulmonary and
Critical Care Medicine
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama

Contributing Authors

Heiko Bugger, MD, PhD
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes
Program in Human Molecular Biology and Genetics
University of Utah School of Medicine

E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD
Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes
Program in Human Molecular Biology and Genetics
University of Utah School of Medicine

Paul M. Hassoun, MD
Professor of Medicine and Director of the Pulmonary Hypertension Program
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine

Kurt Stenmark, MD
Department of Pediatrics Developmental Lung Biology Laboratory
University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center

Hunter C. Champion, MD, PhD
Pulmonary Hypertension Program and Division of Cardiology Department of Medicine
Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions

Ivan F. McMurtry, PhD
Departments of Pharmacology and Medicine and Center for Lung Biology
University of South Alabama

Agenda

The Metabolic Syndrome and Cardiac Function
Heiko Bugger, MD, PhD and E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD

National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Hopkins Specialized Center in Clinical Oriented Research (SCCOR): Molecular Determinants of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Paul M. Hassoun, MD

Specialized Center in Clinical Oriented Research (SCCOR) Update: Mechanisms and Treatment of Lung Vascular Disease in Infants and Children
Kurt Stenmark, MD

Getting More From Right Heart Catheterization: A Focus on the Right Ventricle
Hunter C. Champion, MD, PhD

Animal Models of Human Severe PAH
Ivan F. McMurtry, PhD

CME Accreditation and Credit Designation

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of Michigan Medical School and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association. The University of Michigan is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education to physicians.

The University of Michigan Medical School designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA/PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This CME activity was prepared for release in April 2008. CME credit may be awarded for a maximum of one year from its release date, specifically from April 2008 through May 1, 2009. Continuation of credit from that date depends on a thorough review of the content currency and accuracy.

Sponsorship and Support

This CME self-study program is jointly sponsored by the University of Michigan Medical School and the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

This CME self-study program is supported by an educational grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., Encysive Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Gilead Sciences, Inc., Pfizer, Inc., and United Therapeutics Corporation.

Oversite and Accreditation

Arlene Bradford, BA
Assistant Director
Office of CME
University of Michigan Medical School

Disclosures

The Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education and the Association of American Colleges have standards and guidelines to ensure that individuals participating in CME activities are aware of relationships between authors and commercial companies that could potentially affect the information presented. To be disclosed to participants are all personal financial relationships with a commercial interest whose products are relevant to the content of this CME activity. The University of Michigan Medical School follows these national policies to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its CME activities. Each author was asked to complete a disclosure information form for this activity. Disclosures are reported below.

Karen Fagan, MD, in the past 12 months has had no relevant personal financial relationship with regard to the content of this CME activity. Dr. Fagan is on the Speaker Panel, Advisory Board and Research Review Committee of Gilead.

Heiko Bugger, MD, PhD, in the past 12 months has had no relevant personal financial relationship with regard to the content of this CME activity.

E. Dale Abel, MD, PhD, in the past 12 months has had no relevant personal financial relationship with regard to the content of this CME activity.

Paul M. Hassoun, in the past 12 months has had no relevant personal financial relationship with regard to the content of this CME activity.

Kurt Stenmark, MD, in the past 12 months has had no relevant personal financial relationship with regard to the content of this CME activity.

Hunter C. Champion, MD, PhD, in the past 12 months has had no relevant personal financial relationship with regard to the content of this CME activity. He has served as a Consultant for Actelion, Gilead, Pfizer, and United Therapeutics.

Ivan F. McMurtry, PhD, in the past 12 months has had no relevant personal financial relationship with regard to the content of this CME activity.

Arlene Bradford, BA, has no relevant personal financial relationships to disclose.

CME Reviewer

Kevin M. Chan, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
University of Michigan Health Systems
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Dr. Chan has no relevant personal financial relationships to disclose.