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 3 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:

To review the prevalence, demographics, and risk factors of pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
To review the pathology/pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
To review the treatment and prognosis of pulmonary hypertension associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.
To review the association of antiphospholipid antibodies and pulmonary arterial hypertension.
To review the treatment for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.
To review the epidemiology, risk factors, and biomarkers for pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma.
To review diagnosis and screening of pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma.
To review the treatment of pulmonary hypertension associated with scleroderma.

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

Chair

Kristin B. Highland, MD, MSCR
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, and
Division of Rheumatology and Immunology

Contributing Authors

Kristin B. Highland, MD, MSCR
Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, and
Division of Rheumatology and Immunology

Gary Gilkeson, MD
Division of Rheumatology and Immunology
Department of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina

Raj S. Kasthuri, MD
Robert A. S. Roubey, MD
Department of Medicine and ThurstonArthritis Research Center
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Victoria K. Shanmugam, MD
Virginia D. Steen, MD
Division of Rheumatology, Immunology, and Allergy,
Georgetown University Hospital

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. 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.

Kristin Highland, MD, is on the Speaker’s Bureau of Actelion Pharmaceuticals, United Therapueitcs, and Gilead Sciences. She receives grant/research support from Actelion Pharmaceuticals, United Therapeutics, and Gilead Sciences.

Gary Gilkeson, MD, serves as a consultant for and is on the Speaker’s Bureau of Genentech, He is a stock shareholder in Taligen Therapeutics.

Raj Kasthuri, MD, has no relevant personal financial relationship to disclose.

Robert Roubey, MD, has no relevant personal financial relationship to disclose.

Victoria Shanmugam, MD, has no relevant personal relationship to disclose.

Virginia Steen, MD, serves as a consultant for Actelion Pharmaceuticals and Gilead Sciences. She is on the Speaker’s Bureau of Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences and Abbott Laboratories. She receives grant/ research support from Actelion Pharmaceuticals and Gilead Sciences.

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.