Minimizing the Burden and Costs of Stroke in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Managed Care Strategies in Action

An Interactive Serial-Learning Initiative

Jointly sponsored by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC and Horizon CME

Faculty

Gregory W. Albers, MD
Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences
Stanford University Medical Center
Director, Stanford Stroke Center
Palo Alto, California

Ty J. Gluckman, MD
Director, Coronary Care Unit
Providence St. Vincent Heart and Vascular Institute
Portland, Oregon

Target Audience

This activity is designed for managed markets physicians and pharmacists.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, participants should be able to:

• Identify the factors that increase stroke risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF)
• Discuss current guideline recommendations for stroke prevention in patients with AF and the role of genetic testing for warfarin dosing
• Outline the clinical benefits, limitations, and real-world costs associated with warfarin therapy for AF-related stroke prevention
• Interpret and apply current data regarding antiplatelet agents and novel anticoagulants being investigated as alternatives to warfarin for AF-related stroke prevention

Activity Overview

This on-demand case vignette series consists of 3 patient case studies, with polling questions integrated throughout each case.

To be eligible for documentation of credit, participants must review each case study, answer all polling questions, and complete the evaluation form. After successful completion of the evaluation form online at www.naccme.com, participants may immediately print their documentation of credit.

Release date: August 30, 2010
Expiration date: August 30, 2011

Estimated time to complete: 1 hour

There is no fee associated with this activity.

This educational activity is an application-based activity.

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

Hardware/Software Requirements

All educational activities are accessible via a computer with 650 MHz PC, 128 MB RAM, Windows or MAC operating system, Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Safari browsers. Windows Media Player, sound card, and speakers are required for streamed audio. Flash Player, sound card, and speakers are required for video programs. A PDF reader is required for print publications. Please direct technical questions to webmaster@naccme.com.

CME Accreditation

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 North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC (NACCME) and Horizon CME. NACCME is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

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

CPE Accreditation

 North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC (NACCME) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1 contact hour (0.1 CEU) of continuing pharmacy education (UAN 276-999-10-032-H01-P).

Any participant wanting to file a grievance with respect to any aspect of a continuing pharmacy education activity accredited by NACCME may contact Kristen Jassin, Assistant Director, Accreditation Services, NACCME, in writing at 300 Rike Drive, Suite A, Millstone Township, NJ 08535, or by e-mail at kjassin@naccme.com. The Assistant Director, Accreditation Services will review the grievance and respond within 30 days of receiving the written statement. If the participant is unsatisfied with the response, an appeal to the Senior Director, Accreditation Services, NACCME, may be made for a second level of review.

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

Planning Committee

The planning committee comprises Gregory W. Albers, MD, Ty J. Gluckman, MD, John M. Miller, MD; Brian Lee, PharmD, Horizon CME; Mary Johnson, Stacey Ohana, Randy Robbin, John Savage, and Jessica Steuerman, 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 identified 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. Albers: Grant/research support—Boehringer Ingelheim; Consultant—Boehringer Ingelheim, sanofi-aventis
Dr. Gluckman: Promotional speakers bureau—Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Aventis Partnership 
Dr. Miller: Grant/research support—Biosense-Webster, Inc, Biotronik, Inc, Boston Scientific Corp, Medtronic, Inc, St. Jude Medical; Consultant—Medtronic, Inc; Scientific advisor—Stereotaxis, Inc

Ms. Johnson, Dr. Lee, Ms. Ohana, Mr. Robbin, Mr. Savage, and Ms. Steuerman 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 that the following off-label/unapproved use(s) of drugs and/or devices will be discussed: investigational agents dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban for AF-related stroke prevention.

Privacy Policy

NACCME and Horizon CME protect the privacy of personal and other information regarding participants, educational partners, and joint sponsors. NACCME, Horizon CME, 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 and Horizon CME maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal regulations to guard your nonpublic personal information.

Copyright © 2010 by North American Center for Continuing Medical Education, LLC and Horizon CME. 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 and Horizon CME.

Grant Support

Supported by an educational grant from Boehringer Ingelheim