Activity 2: Antiplatelet Therapy in ACS: What's Best Practice?

Program Overview

Antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy are the foundation of treatment for acute coronary syndrome (ACS), yet underuse of these agents persists. Despite published guideline recommendations, only three-quarters of ACS patients are on dual antiplatelet therapy when they are discharged. Factors contributing to suboptimal management of ACS include unfamiliarity with the guidelines, as well as the relative novelty of some agents and concerns about their benefit-to-risk ratio and cost.

In Antiplatelet Therapy in ACS: What's Best Practice?, the second activity in our 4-part series on ACS, the faculty explore the state of the art in antiplatelet therapy for ACS. Join Clare Hawkins, MD, MSc, FAAFP, and Kim Eagle, MD, MACC, as they review the evidence-based recommendations for antiplatelet therapy over the continuum of care and address common challenges facing family physicians.

Intended Audience

This continuing medical education program is intended for family physicians and other primary care providers who care for patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, family physicians will be better able to:

• Understand the rationale for use of dual antiplatelet therapy to prevent future thrombotic events in patients with ACS
• Apply the evidence-based recommendations for antiplatelet therapy across the ACS treatment spectrum (conservative “medical management” and invasive strategies)
• Communicate to patients the critical importance of strict compliance to their prescribed antiplatelet regimen
• Address barriers and patient care issues that can interfere with or disrupt optimal antiplatelet therapy

Faculty

Clare A. Hawkins, MD, MSc, FAAFP
Family Medicine Residency Director
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital
Baytown, TX

Kim A. Eagle, MD, MACC
Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine
Director, Cardiovascular Center
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor, MI

Planning Committee

Sharon K. Duffy, RN, MS, CRRN
Manager, Integrative Medicine
Madonna ProActive Health & Fitness
Lincoln, NE

Kim A. Eagle, MD, MACC
Albion Walter Hewlett Professor of Internal Medicine
Director, Cardiovascular Center
University of Michigan Health System
Ann Arbor, MI

Clare A. Hawkins, MD, MSc, FAAFP – Chair
Family Medicine Residency Director
San Jacinto Methodist Hospital
Baytown, TX

Jasen W. Gundersen, MD, MBA, SFHM
Inpatient Clinical Services Chief
Division Chief, Hospital Medicine
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine and Family & Community Health
UMass Medical School
Worcester, MA

CME Accreditation

This activity has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 1.25 credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. These credits conform to the AAFP criteria for evidence-based CME clinical content. AAFP accreditation begins October 15, 2010. Term of approval is for 2 year(s) from this date with the option of yearly renewal.

The EB CME credit awarded for this activity was based on practice recommendations that were the most current with the strongest level of evidence available at the time this activity was approved. Since some clinical research is ongoing, the American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that learners verify sources and review these and other recommendations prior to implementation into practice.

The AAFP is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American Academy of Family Physicians designates this education activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Agenda

Introduction and Opening Remarks

Module 1: Antiplatelet Therapy: The First 24 Hours

Module 2: Antiplatelet Therapy: The Cath Lab

Module 3: Antiplatelet Therapy: 1-2 years Post Coronary Event

Module 4: Antiplatelet Therapy: Special Situations and Emerging Research

Disclosures

It is the policy of the AAFP that all CME planning committee/faculty/authors/editors/staff disclose relationships with commercial entities upon nomination/invitation of participation. Disclosure documents are reviewed for potential conflict of interests and, if identified, they are resolved prior to confirmation of participation. Only those participants who have no conflict of interest or who agree to an identified resolution process prior to their participation were involved in this CME activity.

The AAFP and MedEd Architects, LLC staffs have indicated that they have no relationships to disclose relating to the subject matter of the activity. Dr. Eagle returned a disclosure form indicating that he has no financial interest in or affiliation with any commercial supporter or providers of any commercial services discussed in this educational material. Dr. Hawkins returned a disclosure form indicating that he assisted Boehringer Ingelheim with manuscript preparation and validation for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) screener.