A Call to Action for Primary Care to Prevent Stroke in Atrial Fibrillation

All Times listed are Eastern

                
Jointly sponsored by Cardiovascular Learning Network, A NACCME Initiative, and Horizon CME

Presenters/Q&A Cohosts

Michael D. Ezekowitz, MBChB, PhD, FRCP, FAHA, FACC
Professor
Jefferson Medical College
Vice President, Clinical Research
Main Line Hospitals
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania

Louis Kuritzky, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Community
Health and Family Medicine
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Intended Learners

This activity is designed for primary care physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants involved in the care of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF).

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity series, participants will be able to:

• Apply the CHADS₂ or CHA2DS₂-VASc scoring system to assess AF-related stroke risk
• Outline current guideline recommendations for stroke prevention in AF
• Identify and implement strategies to overcome barriers to guideline adherence in AF-related stroke prevention
• Summarize current clinical and pharmacoeconomic data regarding novel anticoagulants for AF-related stroke prevention
• Utilize strategies for safe and effective dosing and switching to novel anticoagulants when appropriate for patients with AF

Activity Overview

This teleconference lecture will be presented on 5 dates in February and March by Michael D. Ezekowitz, MBChB, PhD, FRCP, FAHA, FACC and Louis Kuritzky, MD, with a live question-and-answer session following each presentation.

To participate, dial toll-free 800-803-7101 approximately 5 minutes before the scheduled time of the teleconference. Upon calling in, provide the activity code, Stroke Prevention.

To be eligible for documentation of credit, participants must attend the full teleconference event, complete the 10-question online post-test with a score of 70% or better, and complete the evaluation form. After successful completion of the post-test and evaluation form online at www.naccme.com, participants may immediately print their documentation of credit.

To be eligible for credit for the live version of this activity, completed post-tests must be submitted online by March 20, 2012.

There is no fee associated with this activity.

For questions regarding this educational activity, please call 609-371-1137.

Hardware/Software Requirements

All educational activities are accessible via a PC (Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7) or Mac (Mac OS 10.x or later) computer with current versions of the following browsers: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari. Windows Media Player or compatible alternative, sound card, and speakers are required for streamed audio. The latest version of the Adobe Flash Player is suggested for video programs. A PDF reader is required for print publications. Please direct technical questions to webmaster@naccme.com.

Accreditation

This activity has been planned and implemented by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education (NACCME) and Horizon CME for the advancement of patient care. NACCME is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

CME

NACCME designates this live activity for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

CNE

This continuing nursing education activity awards 1.0 contact hour.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #13255 for 1.0 contact hour.

AANP Accreditation

This program is approved for 1.0 contact hours of continuing education by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Program ID 1201021.

This program was planned in accordance with AANP CE Standards and Policies and AANP Commercial Support Standards.

Independent Clinical Reviewer: John M. Miller, MD, Professor of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Director, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Indiana University Health System, Indianapolis, Indiana

Nurse Planner: Susie Seaman, NP, Sharp Rees-Stealy Wound Clinic, San Diego, California

Planning Committee

The planning committee comprises Michael D. Ezekowitz, MBChB, PhD, FRCP, FAHA, FACC, Louis Kuritzky, MD, John M. Miller, MD, Susie Seaman, NP; Brian Lee, PharmD, Horizon CME; and Diane Borges, PhD, Kristin Ciszeski, Mike Kearney, Randy Robbin, and John Savage, NACCME.

Financial Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest

According to the disclosure policy of NACCME, faculty, editors, managers, and other individuals who are in a position to control content are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with relevant commercial companies related to this activity. All relevant conflicts of interest that are indentified are reviewed for potential conflicts of interest. If a conflict is identified, it is the responsibility of NACCME to initiate a mechanism to resolve the conflict(s). The existence of these interests or relationships is not viewed as implying bias or decreasing the value of the presentation.

All educational materials are reviewed for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies reported, and levels of evidence.

The faculty has reported the following:
Dr. Ezekowitz: Consultant—ARYx Therapeutics, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai Co, Ltd, Gilead, Janssen Scientific Affairs, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronics, Merck and Co., Inc, Pfizer, Inc, Portola, Sanofi U.S.; Speaker—Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Kuritzky: Scientific advisor—Boehringer Ingelheim
Dr. Miller: Grant/research support—Biosense-Webster, Inc, Biotronik, Inc, Medtronic, Inc; Consultant—Boston Scientific Corporation, Medtronic, Inc, Stereotaxis, St. Jude Medical, Inc, Topera, Inc; Scientific advisor—Stereotaxis, Topera, Inc.
Ms. Seaman: Scientific Advisor—Molnlycke Health Care; Promotional Speakers' Bureau—Molnlycke Health Care

Dr. Borges, Ms. Ciszeski, Mr. Kearney, Dr. Lee, Mr. Robbin, and Mr. Savage have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with any commercial interests.

NACCME requires faculty to inform participants whenever off-label/unapproved uses of drugs and/or devices are discussed in their presentations.

The faculty has disclosed the following off-label/unapproved uses of drugs and/or devices that will be discussed: Apixaban, Betrixaban, and Endoxaban for the treatment of stroke in atrial fibrillation patients.

Privacy Policy

NACCME protects the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. NACCME and our joint sponsors will not release personally identifiable information to a third party without the individual's consent, except such information as is required for reporting purposes to the appropriate accrediting agency.

NACCME maintains physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

Copyright © 2012 by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. No part of this accredited continuing education activity may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without first obtaining permission from North American Center for Continuing Medical Education.

Grant Support

Supported by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim.

Representatives of the granting organization may not register on behalf of participants.