The Key to Their Hearts: The Indispensable Role of the Primary Caregiver in the Management of Patients Post-MI

Faculty

Needs Statement

A recent report from the American Heart Association (AHA) indicates that an estimated 17.6 million individuals 20 years or older suffer from coronary artery disease (CAD) leading to an estimated 1.3 million PCI procedures performed yearly.  Vascular injury or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) following a plaque rupture leads to a cascade of events culminating in sustained amplification of platelet activation and platelet aggregation, making antiplatelet agents the cornerstone of treatment for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) or those undergoing PCI.  This newsletter will briefly review the platelet activation and aggregation cascade and then review the current evidence on the safety and efficacy of currently existing antiplatelet drugs, including aspirin, clopidogrel and prasugrel.  The newsletter will also briefly review the available data on ticagrelor and other antiplatelet agents that are in early stages of clinical trial.  The current data on the potential interaction between statins, PPIs, and antiplatelet agents will be described, and the evidence on response variability and genetic polymorphisms will be reviewed.

Target Audience

This activity is designed for primary care clinicians, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals interested in the management of patients with ACS.

Objectives

1. Evaluate the safety and efficacy of existing and emerging antiplatelet agents in patients with ACS;

2. Assess the potential influence of response variability and drug-drug interactions on clinical outcomes in patients with ACS.

Accreditation

CME
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and ACCELMED. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this enduring material for a maximum of 0.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Activity Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and ACCELMED. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. and Eli Lilly and Company and Lilly USA, LLC.