Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is the most common heart rhythm disorder seen by primary care physicians. AFib affects an estimated 2.7 million people in the United States and the incidence is expected to double within the next forty years. AFib negatively impacts patient’s quality of life and is a major risk factor for stroke. Despite practice guidelines for managing AFib, it’s estimated that two-thirds of AFib-related strokes can be avoided. Gaps exist between the evidence base and clinical practice. Stroke in patients with AFib result in worse outcomes including higher mortality, greater functional impairment and dependency. Although existing guidelines define effective therapeutic strategies for managing AFib to reduce stroke risk, these strategies are frequently underused or inappropriately understood. Both provider and patient knowledge and attitudes play an important role in the success of current strategies to manage AFib to prevent stroke.

Course Directors

• Kevin Carnevale, MD
  Academic Pathologist, Microbiology and Immunology, Des Moines University
   
• Craig B. Clark, DO, FACC, FAHA, FASE
  Cardiologist, Iowa Health Cardiology; Immediate Past-President, Iowa Chapter of the American College of Cardiology

Target Audience

Primary care physicians, internists, hospitalists, cardiologists, neurologists, anticoagulation and thrombosis specialists, residents, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, cardiac techs, support staff, and all other interested health professionals.

Objectives

• Describe the incidence and consequences of untreated atrial fibrillation.
• Identify patients for whom antithrombotic management for atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter is appropriate.
• Document the risk of stroke using a validated assessment tool.
• Determine the relative risk and benefit of antithrombotic therapy for a given patient.
• Select the appropriate antithrombotic therapy including the role of newly approved antithrombotic agents.
• Determine which patients are best managed with a rate-control versus rhythm-control strategy.
• Discuss options for maintaining sinus rhythm including anti-arrhythmic drug therapy and the role of ablation.
• Recite emerging therapies for atrial fibrillation and prevention of its complications.

Agenda

Download presentation objectives.

Resources

A complete list of the patient/provider resources can be found here.

Registration

Attendees will be requested to complete a short learner self-assessment survey regarding their present and desired level of ability to administer antithrombotic therapy for patients with AFib. The information will be used to enhance the learning experience. The response, rationale, and references to each answer will be supplied at the educational activity. We thank you in advance for your time.

• Physician – $50
• Non-Physicians – $25
• Students and residents – Free

Commercial Support

This activity is funded through an educational grant from Bristol-Myers Squibb/Pfizer Pharmaceuticals Partnership to the TEAM-A Collaborative to support activities that improve the treatment of patients with Atrial Fibrillation.  The Physicians’ Institute is a member of TEAM-A and retains full control over the distribution of individual grants under this collaborative grant program.

Exhibitors

Thank you to St. Jude Medical, Boehringer Ingelheim and Medtronic for their support.

Continuing Education Credit

• AAMA: 7.0 CEUs, either- Clinical or General.
• AAFP: This Live activity, Improving Outcomes in Patient with Atrial Fibrillation: An Update for the Primary Care Physician, with a beginning date of 04/20/2013, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 6.75 Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
• MD: This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Iowa Medical Society (IMS) through joint sponsorship of Iowa Health-Des Moines (Methodist & Lutheran/Blank Children’s) and Des Moines University. Iowa Health-Des Moines (Methodist & Lutheran/Blank Children’s) is accredited by the IMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. Iowa Health-Des Moines (Methodist & Lutheran/Blank Children’s) designates this live activity for a maximum of 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
• DO: Des Moines University (DMU) is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) and approves this live activity for 6.5 Category 1-A CME credit(s).
• Nurse: Des Moines University is Iowa Board of Nursing approved provider #112. This live activity has been reviewed and approved for 8.0 continuing education contact hour(s). No partial credit awarded.
• Other: This live activity is designated for 6.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™.