Clinical Update 2008

Date of Online Release: March 17, 2008 
Credits: 7.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™

Why take the Clinical Update 2008 course?
According to the American Heart Association:

• Nearly 80 million American adults (one in three) have one or more types of cardiovascular disease.
• Cardiovascular disease claims nearly 2,400 lives each day in the United States, accounting for 36.3% of all deaths.
• The cost of cardiovascular diseases and stroke in the U.S. for 2007 is estimated to be $431.8 billion.
• In the past 3 decades, the number of inpatient cardiovascular surgeries and procedures has increased by more than 400%.

What can we do to improve patient outcomes?
The Clinical Update 2008 course provides 17 presentations from 15 faculty highlighting recent progress in diagnostic and treatment modalities, as well as current and future trends in diverse areas of cardiovascular medicine and surgery. Participants will be able to incorporate recent clinical advances into everyday practice, thereby improving acute and long-term patient outcomes.

Educational Objectives
The intended result of this activity is increased knowledge. At the conclusion of this program, participants will have gained significant knowledge in the following areas—

• Describe current surgical robotic technology and the type of cardiovascular procedures currently performed that utilize it.
• Critically evaluate the results of clinical trials related to endoluminal AAA repair.
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting.
• Analyze the benefits of and indications for endoluminal treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms.
• Describe the pathophysiology of hypertension and linkages to other biologic pathways related to acute hypertension.
• Integrate the selection of revascularization techniques to develop a strategy to optimize the results for individual patients.
• Explain different treatment strategies for acute decompensated heart failure, including the role of vaptans.
• Explain the mechanisms of various antiarrhythmic medications.
• Define patient populations requiring intensive medical therapy and invasive management for acute coronary syndromes.
• Describe recent clinical trial evidence to refine LDL-C goals in secondary prevention as well as identify pharmacological approaches to reduce LDL-C.
• Assess the indications for and explain the acute and chronic use of mechanical support devices.
• Recognize the unique challenges in caring for patients with adult congenital heart disease.
• Summarize the indications for ICD and resynchronization therapy.
• Describe strategies to reduce a woman’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
• Recognize the potential therapeutic options with stem cell therapy for cardiovascular disease including congestive heart failure.
• Review the assessment of myocardial viability with CMRI.
• Summarize the most recent clinical data regarding complex thoracic aorta aneurysm repair.

Target Audience
This continuing medical education activity is intended for adult and pediatric cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, internists with an interest in cardiology, radiologists and clinical researchers.

Method of Instruction / Participation
This enduring material comprises slide sets with text and audio with post activity assessment and evaluation.

Evaluation / Feedback
We value your comments; please send your suggestions and comments to the office of continuing medical education at Texas Heart Institute.