ANCILLARY COURSES

Are you new to Lipidology or just looking to brush up on the changing information coming out in the field? Attend one of our ancillary courses taught by Experts in the area of Lipidology:

The NLA's Masters in Lipidology course provides an advanced examination of the core curriculum in Clinical Lipidology. This course is designed for any health care professional with experience in Lipidology who desires advanced training. Experts in the field of Lipidology will lecture on advanced concepts and guide participants through interactive learning scenarios that provide tools and skills to further advance personal standards of practice. It is recommended that attendees have already completed preparatory coursework (eg Foundations of Lipidology [formerly Lipid Academy] or similar core curriculum training).

The NLA's Foundations of Lipidology course, formerly Lipid Academy, provides an introductory review of the core curriculum in Clinical Lipidology. This course is designed for any healthcare professional seeking to learn the fundamentals of Lipidology. Experts in Lipidology will lecture on basic concepts and guide participants through interactive learning scenarios that provide the knowledge and tools necessary to work effectively in a lipid practice, and prepare for advanced training.

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS

LDL-C: Are We Assessing This Right?

(Part of Session I: Defining Targets, Goals and Thresholds for Treatment) Friday, September 21 — 4:25-4:50 PM

This lecture will examine the various measurements of LDL-C and the effect on clinical decisions. The lecture will explain the barriers to direct LDL-C measurement in routine clinical practice and the rationale behind estimation of LDL-C as the primary method of assessment. Discussion will address how Friedewald-estimated LDL-C has served the medical community well, but show that it is less well suited for contemporary clinical practice, identifying types of patients in whom it is less accurate. Further, discussion will focus on a modern, more accurate, precision medicine approach to estimation of LDL-C made possible through big data. The lecture will cover specific advantages of the new approach such as improved accuracy in high-risk patients and in the non-fasting state. Attention will be placed on the impact of LDL-C assessment on daily clinical practice using evidence-based, guideline-recommended strategies for effective evaluation and management. Case studies will be explore illustrating the impact of more accurate LDL-C assessment on patient care.

Seth S. Martin, MD, MHS
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Cardiology
Department of Medicine
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Director, Advanced Lipid Disorders Program
Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease
Baltimore, MD

Talking to your Patients About Trending Diets

(Part of Session II: Back to Basics: Lifestyle Strategies in the Management of Dyslipidemia ) Saturday, September 22 — 8:00-8:20 AM

People are bombarded by tales of diets that claim to benefit health and/or promote weight loss. Some focus on avoidance of broad categories of foods, some on shifts in carbohydrate or other macronutrients, and others on attempts to develop physiologically personalized dietary strategies. This presentation will assist healthcare professionals in talking with patients about some of today’s most popular diets. We will examine the claims made for these diets in light of current cardiovascular nutrition research and consider likely effects on cardiovascular risk factors. If there are benefits for some people, we will discuss how these might be maintained while avoiding potential health hazards. For diets contradictory to evidence-based dietary recommendations, we will address how healthcare professionals can bridge from a patient’s interest in the promoted claims to encourage dietary strategies that are compatible with current recommendations.

Karen K. Collins, MS, RDN, CDN, FAND
Consultant, Karen Collins Nutrition
Nutrition Advisor
American Institute for Cancer Research
Jamestown, NY

PCSK9 Inhibitors in Perspective: How Does the Evidence Impact Clinical Practice?

(Part of Session III: Emerging Science in Clinical Lipidology) Saturday, September 22 — 10:40-11:00 AM

The recent approval of a new class of lipid-lowering agents – the PCSK9 inhibitors – represents a significant advance in the management of patients with dyslipidemia. But many questions remain regarding their safety, efficacy, and role in clinical practice. Dr. Cannon will aim to review the key clinical trial data for the PCSK9 inhibitors and discuss their potential role in clinical practice. He will also look at current use of lipid-lowering therapies in clinical practice and highlight opportunities to use the standard agents first (statin and ezetimibe), before moving onto PCKS9 inhibitors. Barriers to use from insurance companies are one area, but we as clinicians can provide documentation of the rationale for high risk patients; it should help target these new agents to appropriate patients in a cost-effective way.

Christopher P. Cannon, MD
Director, Education, Cardiovascular Medicine Innovation
Cardiovascular Division,
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School
Boston, MA

Clinical Pearls for the Lipidologist - Handling the Pressure: Measuring Blood Pressure 101 for Clinicians on the Run

(Part of Session III: Emerging Science in Clinical Lipidology) Saturday, September 22 — 12:55-1:20 PM

For as long as we have been involved in caring for patients with hypertension, office blood pressure (OBP) measurement has been regarded as the cornerstone for both its diagnosis and management. This, despite the acknowledged observation that several sources of error often occur in office measurement, in addition to our failing to recognize both white coat and masked hypertension. Because of these inadequacies, the 2017 ACC/AHA US guideline recommends OBP measurement solely as a screening tool for hypertension based on 2 or more office measurements on at least 2 or more occasions. For the first time, out-of-office BP measurement (either ambulatory or home measurement) should be used for diagnostic confirmation after office-based screening. Patients need to be instructed to avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for at least 30 minutes before measurement. With their bladder empty, they need to be sitting in a chair with their back supported and feet on the floor for at least 5 minutes before measurement. There needs to be no talking, with their arm bare and supported at heart level, and the proper cuff size used. At least two measurements separated by one to two minutes should be averaged for the determined BP. Using an automated often low-cost BP device in both the office and home should be used to diminish measurement error for both diagnosis and titration of blood pressure lowering medication.

Jan N. Basile, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Former Chief-Primary Care Service Line
Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center Vice Chair,
Clinical Programs, Council on Hypertension
Charleston, South Carolina

Formulating a Comprehensive Management Plan

NLA Special Session – Bridging the Gaps in Treatment of Genetic Triglyceride Disorders: A Team-Based Approach to Differential Diagnoses and Management Saturday, September 22 — 4:20-4:55 PM

There are many lipid-lowering medications available that are used specifically for triglyceride lowering. This part of the symposium will focus on management of genetic triglyceride disorders. Management recommendations from the American Heart Association, National Lipid Association and the International Atherosclerosis Society will be reviewed to identify their recommended treatment strategies. The emerging new therapy, volanesorsen, will be discussed including a review of clinical trials evaluating this novel therapy. This portion of the symposium will conclude with comments on interprofessional practice and the potential benefits of this type of approach in managing patients with genetic triglyceride disorders. This Special Session will feature: Vikesh K. Singh, MD, MSc; Daniel E. Soffer, MD, FNLA; Kellie H. McLain, ANP-BC, CLS, FNLA and Lori A. Alexander, MSHS, RD, CLS, FNLA. 

Chair: Joseph J. Saseen, PharmD, CLS, FNLA
Secretary/Treasurer, National Lipid Association
Professor and Vice Chair
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Family Medicine
University of Colorado Denver
Anschutz Medical Campus
Aurora, CO

 

Complex Case — Patient with Statin Intolerance, Drug-Drug Interaction Complications and is Nonadherent

(Part of Session V: Complex Cases with the "Aces") Sunday, September 23 — 8:52-9:00 AM

Perceived and real statin intolerance cause problems with getting patients on appropriate lipid-lowering therapy. Careful history taking, review of underlying medical conditions, and close attention to the medication list are important factors in the management of statin-intolerant patients. For statin-associated myopathy, the time of onset of symptoms, location and type of muscle problems, and patient attitudes about statins should be assessed. The practitioner should carefully look for underlying structural, rheumatologic, and other patient factors that could contribute to problems. Metabolic and disease states such as renal and hepatic impairment, hypothyroidism, and possibly vitamin D deficiency may have an impact on statin blood levels. Drug-drug interactions are especially important since some medications may have an impact on statin levels. This becomes challenging in patients who are on multiple medications that may share metabolic pathways. Dose adjustments, less than daily dosing, and use of non-statin medications are part of the approach in some patients. The practitioner needs to show understanding of the patient’s concerns and symptoms and may have to allow for a continuing process to improve the patient’s lipid levels.

                    

Anne C. Goldberg, MD, FNLA
Committee Co-Chair
President, Foundation of the NLA
Professor of Medicine
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, MO

 

Plaque Imaging in Clinical Practice

(Part of Session VI: Plaque Biology and Implications for Clinical Practice) Sunday, September 23 — 10:05-10:25 AM

It is clear that traditional risk prediction models based primarily on age, gender, and risk factors are insufficient for ideal personalization of risk estimation. Detecting subclinical atherosclerosis is now possible with multiple different modalities. Of available tests, the most appropriate for asymptomatic patients in primary prevention is the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score. Yet, how do we best determine its clinical value? Fortunately, over the last few years, research around CAC has matured to include data supporting enhanced clinician-patient risk discussions, flexible risk factor treatment goals, shared decision-making, specific clinical decision algorithms, as well as favorable cost-effectiveness analyses. We had moved from a time when we asked “if CAC adds to the risk score” to a time when we are asking “does CAC facilitate a shared decision-making model matching risk, treatment, and patient preferences?” A new risk calculator incorporating CAC into global risk scoring, and 2017 guidelines on the use of CAC published by the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT), reflect this new approach. In this article lecture, we will compare CAC to other plaque tests, and clarify when CAC vs. coronary CT angiography vs. other imaging are most appropriate in daily clinical practice.

                    

Michael J. Blaha, MD, MPH
Director of Clinical Research
Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease
Baltimore, MD

 

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

Target Audience
This activity is designed to meet the needs of physicians, physician assistants, pharmacists, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, advance practice registered nurses and registered dietitians with an interest in lipid management.

Type of Activity
Live Activity
Application

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

• Discuss strategies to improve the knowledge, skills or performance of the healthcare team.

Session I: Defining Targets, Goals, and Thresholds for Treatment

• Define lipid treatment goals for patients with dyslipidemia.
• Describe the various measurements of low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and the effect on clinical decisions.
• Review the evidence for benefit from LDL-C lowering therapies.
• Evaluate clinical scenarios where additional lipid testing may inform clinical decisions.

Session II: Back to Basics: Lifestyle Strategies in the Management of Dyslipidemia

• Outline the impact of various diets on short and long-term weight loss.
• Utilize effective diet and lifestyle strategies for dyslipidemia management.
• Assess the impact of increasing physical activity on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk.

Clinical Pearls for the Lipidologist

• Discuss practical strategies for the optimal preventive therapy in diabetes.
• Discuss practical strategies for evaluating blood pressure in the clinic.
• Discuss practical non-prescription treatment strategies for ASCVD prevention.

Session III: Emerging Science in Clinical Lipidology

• Review the practical implications of current publications to the evaluation and management of patients with dyslipidemia.
• Assess the implications of recent ASCVD outcomes data for the clinical management of patients with dyslipidemia.
• Evaluate current and novel biomarkers and their impact on Cardiovascular (CV) risk detection and management.

Session IV: Lipoprotein(a): The Neglected CVD Risk Factor

• Review current recommendations for Lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) screening.
• Determine possible association between Lp(a) levels and the development of aortic stenosis.
• Define treatment options to reduce residual ASCVD risk.

NLA Special Session: Bridging the Gaps in Treatment of Genetic Triglyceride Disorders: A Team-Based Approach to Differential Diagnoses and Management

• Identify genetic triglyceride disorders, including Familial Combined Hyperlipidemia, Hypertriglyceridemia and Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome (FCS), in clinical practice.
• Review current management recommendations and emerging therapeutic interventions for improving the outcomes in patients with FCS.
• Implement a team-based approach to the clinical management of FCS, effectively involving lipidologists, gastroenterologists, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, lifestyle educators and other healthcare professionals.

Session V: Complex Cases with the “Aces”

• Discuss complex lipid case management for clinical lipidologists.

Session VI: Plaque Biology and Implications for Clinical Practice

• Review the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic plaque development and progression.
• Discuss the roles of imaging in cardiovascular disease risk evaluation.
• Review the atherosclerotic plague effects of various lipid treatment strategies.

Criteria for Success:
Statements of credit will be awarded based on the participant´s attendance and submission of the activity evaluation form. A statement of credit will be available upon completion of an online evaluation/claimed credit form at lipid.org/cme.
For Pharmacists: Upon successfully completing the activity evaluation form, transcript information will be sent to the NABP CPE Monitor Service within four weeks.

Disclosure Statement:
It is the policy of NLA to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, scientific rigor, and integrity in all of its continuing education activities. The faculty must disclose to the participants any significant relationships with commercial interests whose products or devices may be mentioned in the activity or with the commercial supporter of this continuing education activity. Identified conflict of interest is resolved by NLA prior to accreditation of the activity.

Commercial Support:
Full notification of commercial support will be provided in the activity accreditation.

Successful completion of this CME activity, which includes participation in the evaluation component, enables the participant to earn up to 11.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ MOC points in the American Board of Internal Medicine’s (ABIM) Maintenance of Certification (MOC) program. Participants will earn MOC points equivalent to the amount of CME credits claimed for the activity. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit participant completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABIM MOC credit.

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The National Lipid Association. The National Lipid Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician Credit Designation Statement
The National Lipid Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 12.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in this activity.

Physician Assistants
NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Dietitians
The National Lipid Association is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) will receive 12.50 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/ materials. CDR Accredited Provider #NL002.

Pharmacist Accreditation Statement
Universal Activity Number JA0007192-0000-18-019-L01-P (Application)
This Activity has been approved for 12.50 contact hour(s) (1.250 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education

Nursing
The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 12.4 contact hours.
Pharmacotherapy contact hours for Advance Practice Registered Nurses to be determined.

Foundations of Lipidology
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The National Lipid Association. The National Lipid Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician Credit Designation Statement
The National Lipid Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 13.25 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants
NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by ACCME.

Dietitians
The National Lipid Association is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) will receive 13 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/materials. CDR Accredited Provider #NL002.

Pharmacists
Universal Activity Number – JA0007192-0000-18-017-L01-P (Application)
This Activity has been approved for 13.25 contact hour(s) (1.325 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Nursing
The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 13.3 contact hours.
Pharmacotherapy contact hours for Advance Practice Registered Nurses to be determined.

Masters in Lipidology
In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by The National Lipid Association. The National Lipid Association is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physician Credit Designation Statement
The National Lipid Association designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Physician Assistants
NCCPA accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ from organizations accredited by ACCME.

Dietitians
The National Lipid Association is a Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Accredited Provider with the Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR). Registered dietitians (RDs) and dietetic technicians, registered (DTRs) will receive 14 continuing professional education units (CPEUs) for completion of this program/ materials. CDR Accredited Provider #NL002.

Pharmacists
Universal Activity Number – JA0007192-0000-18-018-L01-P (Application)
This Activity has been approved for 14.75 contact hour(s) (1.475 CEUs) of the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

Nursing
The maximum number of hours awarded for this CE activity is 14.7 contact hours.
Pharmacotherapy contact hours for Advance Practice Registered Nurses to be determined.