CME Information

A large number of risk factors have been proposed to contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those most frequently cited include unhealthy lifestyle, metabolic factors, cardiovascular abnormalities, and multiple dyslipidemia conditions.

Many important aspects of these risk factors remain poorly understood, and many questions are still unanswered. Perhaps the most fundamental question is: How much evidence-based data exists that substantiates each of these risk factors in terms of their contribution to global CVD risk and the impact of therapy to reduce this risk? Finding this answer requires a critical assessment of clinical data supporting claims of CVD risk and risk reduction with appropriate pharmacotherapies.

This forum will examine multiple modifiable coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors and evidence-based data supporting CHD risk reduction through modification of these risk factors. Specifically, it will provide the latest evidence on metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, relate evidence-based clinical data that demonstrate the importance of aggressive LDL reduction, especially in high-risk patients, and discuss the impact and importance of various therapies to reduce CHD risk.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, participants should be able to:

• Delineate the broad range of modifiable risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), based on the Framingham risk assessment and relative long-term pathologic impact;
• Translate global information about CHD risk to specific case examples and appropriate treatment customized to individual patient needs;
• Understand important metabolic and cardiovascular risk factors, and the impact of various therapies to reduce CHD risk;
• Describe established and emerging dyslipidemic risk factors, including elevated LDL, triglycerides, atherogenic lipid particles, and reduced HDL levels; and
• Relate evidence-based clinical data that demonstrate the importance of aggressive LDL reduction to reduce CHD risk, especially in high-risk patients.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for cardiologists and other health care professionals in attendance at the American Heart Association 2006 Scientific Sessions.

Accreditation

The Potomac Center for Medical Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Credit

The Potomac Center for Medical Education designates this educational activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category I credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Disclosure

Potomac Center for Medical Education (PCME) adheres to the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and all other professional organizations, as applicable, stating those activities where continuing education credits are awarded must be balanced, independent, objective, and scientifically rigorous.

All faculty in a position to control the content of a continuing medical education program sponsored by PCME are required to disclose any relevant financial relationships with any commercial interest. All conflicts are identified and resolved by PCME in advance of delivery of the activity to learners.

The National Lipid Association is recognized to endorse the credit hours offered by this activity as lipid-focused continuing medical education that meets the credentialing standards established by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology for its certification exam for lipid specialists (www.lipidboard.org).