Congestion in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure: A Case Based Discussion
Faculty: Mihai Gheorghiade, MD, FACC | Clyde W. Yancy, MD, FACC, FAHA, FACP
CME credit hours: 1.5
This program reviews the definition, demographics, and risks of acute decompensated heart failure. Our expert faculty will discuss the strengths, limitations and concerns of standard therapies such as diuretics, vasodilators, inotropes, and natriuretic peptides. The faculty will also discuss emerging therapies including ultrafiltration, adenosine antagonists, and vasopressin receptor antagonists. This activity aims to give cardiologists and other cardiac care givers a good understanding of how to optimize medical therapy for their patients with acute decompensated heart failure, with an emphasis on relieving symptoms.

ACS Patients and Antiplatelet Resistance: Where We Are and Where We're Going.
Faculty: Deepak L. Bhatt, MD | Cindy L. Grines, MD | Peter B. Berger, MD
CME / CE credit hour: 1.5
Myocardial ischemia secondary to acute restrictions in coronary artery blood flow leads to acute coronary syndromes (ACS). Dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel is the standard of care for patients with ACS. However, resistance to these agents is associated with adverse clinical events, and is of great concern to clinicians. This educational program will review clinical data pertinent to the current state of antiplatelet therapy for the management of patients with ACS.

Translating Evidence to Practice: A Case-Based Approach to VTE Prevention, Diagnosis & Management
(Accreditation Expired)
Faculty: Samuel Goldhaber, MD, | Ruth B. Morrison, RN, BSN, CVN | James B. Groce, III, PharmD, CACP | Sylvia McKean, MD
CME credit hour: 2.0
This case-based educational program will help you to identify and discuss pertinent clinical data for the treatment and prevention of VTE, as well as demonstrate how these data can be interpreted and applied into clinical practice. This would include discussion of current issues and controversies surrounding management of VTE, identifying risk factors for VTE, the treatment and secondary prophylaxis in VTE, treatment options for the management of acute PE, as well a special consideration for the medically ill or patients with comorbidities. By reviewing specific patient cases, our esteemed faculty will provide concise and contemporary insight addressing concerns practitioners have regarding the management of patients with VTE.

Contemporary Cardiovascular Ultrasound: A Case Based Approach
Faculty: Bijoy K. Khandheria, MD, FESC, FASE, FACC | Pamela R. Burgess, BS, RDCS, RDMS, RVT | Rick Rigling, BS, RDCS, FASE
CME credit hour: 1.0
An expert panel of faculty discusses the use of cardiovascular ultrasound techniques utilizing real-world case studies. The panel demonstrates the use of established techniques and methods of diagnosis, as well as the investigation of extended applications of existing contrast agents. Additionally, a presentation of case studies demonstrates how development of newer contrast agents and optimization of ultrasound imaging acquisition techniques can ensure a minimally invasive, yet precise method of assessing coronary artery disease. These important new developments establish that echocardiography will play an ever increasing role in the management of cardiac patients.

Inflammatory Aspects and Detection of Vulnerable Plaque: Clinical Impact of Assessement
(Accreditation Expired)
Faculty: Peter Libby, MD | John Cooke, MD, PhD | Antonius F. W. van der Steen, PhD
CME / CE credit hours: 2.0
Rupture-prone (i.e. "vulnerable") plaques are a primary cause of acute coronary syndromes and myocardial infarction. Though the features of rupture-prone atherosclerotic plaques have been described by pathologists, the identification of high-risk plaque in vivo remains a challenge. While coronary angiography is the gold standard for diagnosis of a plaque, alternative detection methods that rely upon physical, optical, and mechanical parameters may help to direct treatment decisions and improve clinical outcomes.

Use of Fixed Dose Combination Antihypertensives for Uncontrolled Hypertension Patients Currently on Monotherapy (Accreditation Expired)
Faculty: Elijah Saunders, MD, FACC, FACP
CME Credit hour: 1.0
This activity reviews the role of combination therapy in attaining BP goals and reducing complications in diverse patient populations.

Challenges in Dosing Low Molecular Weight Heparin
(Accreditation Expired)
Faculty: Joseph F. Dasta, MSc., FCCM, FCCP | Steven M. Hollenberg, MD | Sandra L. Kane-Gill, PharmD., MSc. | Arthur P. Wheeler, MD
CME Credit hour: 1.0
This program features a discussion between four experts in critical care medicine. The discussion addresses the challenges in dosing and monitoring patients at the extremes of body weight, patients with renal insufficiency, and critically ill patients with altered plasma volume, as well as the pharmacoeconomics of Low Molecular Weight Heparins.

Role of PPARs in the Treatment of Insulin Resistance & Cardiovascular Disease
Faculty: Lawrence Blonde, MD, FACP, FACE | James R Gavin III, MD, PhD
CME Credit hour: 1.0
This CME initiative provides primary care providers, endocrinologists and cardiologists, who are the forefront in preventing and treating diabetes and CVD, with up-to-date information on the role of PPARs in the treatment of insulin-resistant diabetes and CVD. Topics of discussion include the interrelationship and impact of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and CVD; current treatment strategies and unmet needs; safety and efficacy data on PPAR activators; and the potential clinical application of dual alpha-gamma PPAR activators.