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 recent clinical trials and new therapies
for PAH.

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, 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:

Appreciate the complexity in clinical trial design for pulmonary hypertension and recognize meaningful endpoints for future trials
Understand the pathophysiology of PAH and the opportunities for novel therapeutics to target specific aspects of the disease biology
Appreciate the value of prostanoid therapy for PAH and the progress being made toward an oral prostanoid

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

R. James White, MD, PhD
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
University of Rochester

Contributing Authors

R. James White, MD, PhD
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
University of Rochester

David Langleben, MD
Director, Center for Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Jewish General Hospital
McGill University

Murali Chakinala, MD, FCCP
Associate Professor of Medicine
Director, Pulmonary Hypertension Center
Co-Director, Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia Center
Washington University School of Medicine

Agenda

Near-Term Novel Therapies for PAH
David Langleben, MD

Evaluating Recent Therapeutic Trials in PAH: Raising the bar in Clinical Investigation
Murali Chakinala, MD

Update on the Development of Oral Prostacyclin Analogs for the Treatment of PAH
R. James White, MD, 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.

R. James White, MD, PhD, in the past 12 months has served as a paid consultant for United Therapeutics and Gilead. He received research funds from United Therapeutics, Gilead, Actelion, and Eli Lilly.

David Langleben, MD, in the past 12 months has received clinical research support from Actelion, Bayer, Glaxo-SmithKline, Eli Lilly, Myogen, Northern Therapeutics, Novartis, Pfizer, and United Therapeutics. He has served on scientific advisory committees for Northern Therapeutics, Novartis, and Pfizer and has acted as a consultant or speaker for Actelion, Bayer, Glaxo-SmithKline, Myogen, Northern Therapeutics, Norvartis, Pfizer and United Therapeutics.

Murali Chakinala, MD, FCCP, is on the speaker’s bureau of Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Gilead, United Therapeutics, and Pfizer Inc. He receives research support from Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Gilead, United Therapeutics, Pfizer Inc, and Lilly.

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.