Program Overview

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a complex disease with multiple etiologies. The IMPACT PH program was established to provide physicians and allied health professionals with up-to-date information on this disease in order to facilitate patient identification, establish an effective diagnosis and to understand the risks and benefits of the various treatments now available.

The learning modules in this program cover a range of topics, from the more general aspects of PAH to specific situations, such as pulmonary hypertension associated with connective tissue diseases, like scleroderma. The programs use a case-based approach so that health professionals can follow the diagnostic pathway, using the appropriate tools, to finally arrive at the PAH diagnosis and determine the appropriate treatment.

Target Audience

These activities have been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, registered nurses, and other healthcare professionals involved in the care of patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Available Topics

• Discuss the recent revision of the hemodynamic definition of PAH by the World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension and how this new definition impacts identification of pre-capillary hypertension patients
• Review how the new hemodynamic definition of pulmonary hypertension has impacted on the classification of PH
• Debate the 2018 WSPH revision of the PH diagnostic algorithms as they are influenced by the new hemodynamic definition of PH
• Discuss the 2018 WSPH recommendations on screening for PAH, particularly in high risk groups

• Discuss integration of aggressive treatment goals into practice patterns
• Review the 2018 WHO proceedings recommendations in regard to treatment escalation and monitoring
• Examine essential clinical data supporting aggressive combination therapy of PH to reduce risk of morbidity and mortality
• Discuss risk-based treatment of PH and the goals of treatment based on current guidelines

• Discuss ways to improve identification of PAH patients and create effective treatment plans, incorporating risk stratification
• Review recent trials of new therapies with morbidity/mortality endpoints and identify best practices on how to communicate these findings to patients
• Identify opportunities for healthcare providers to better communicate and educate patients regarding therapy considerations
• Identify and discuss tools for health care providers to aid in improved QOL, including medication adherence and side effect management

• Apply investigator-presented data to clinical practice, to expand treatment options and improve outcomes for patients
• Discuss updated treatment guidelines and strategies
• Adapt revised treatment guidelines into everyday practice in treating PAH
• Explore new directions in medical therapy and new technologies to treat PAH
• Review updates from studies of new drugs, devices and treatment modalities for treating PAH

• Review the characteristics, definitions and pathophysiology of PAH as they relate to connective tissue disease
• Discuss the procedures and merits of risk assessment for PAH in patients with connective tissue diseases
• Consider diagnostic protocols for PAH in the CTD patient and the importance of partnering the rheumatologist with PH specialty centers for both diagnosis and treatment
• Differentiate between PAH, PAH due to IPF and PH due to left heart disease
• Evaluate the available treatments for the CTD-PAH patient in light of pivotal clinical trial data

Accreditation Information

Physician Continuing Medical Education

Accreditation Statement
These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower and Total CME. The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Credit Designation
The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower designates each live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Continuing Nursing Education

Accreditation Statement
Annenberg Center for Health Sciences is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

Credit Designation
1.0 contact hour may be earned for successful completion of each activity.

California Board of Registered Nursing
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number 13664, for 1.0 contact hour.

Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest
The Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower requires instructors, planners, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of this activity to disclose any real or apparent conflict of interest (COI) they may have as related to the content of this activity. All identified COI are thoroughly vetted and resolved according to the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower policy.  The existence or absence of COI for everyone in a position to control content will be disclosed to participants prior to the start of each activity.

Fee Information
There is no fee for these educational activities.

A statement of credit will be issued only upon receipt of a completed activity evaluation form and will be emailed to you within three weeks.

Jointly provided by the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences at Eisenhower and Total CME in collaboration with Postgraduate Institute for Medicine

These activities are supported by an independent educational grant from Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc.

Available Formats

At this time, all IMPACT Live events are available as a webinar. Please check the scheduled lectures tab to register for upcoming events.

Compliance with Sunshine Act

The National Physician Payment Transparency Program (Sunshine Act) is a section of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 that requires pharmaceutical and medical device companies to report to the Federal government certain payments (e.g. meals and other meeting expenses) they make to physicians and teaching hospitals. IMPACT PH programs fully comply with the Sunshine Act and, as a result, payments may be reportable based upon these requirements. For detailed information, please visit www.cms.gov.