Approaches to Blocking the RAAS: Effects Beyond Blood Pressure Control

Release Date: June 30, 2008

Expiration Date: June 30, 2009

Presented by the Temple University School of Medicine, and
Medical Crossfire®/Healthcare First.

Medical Media Communications Logo

This activity is supported by an educational grant from Novartis.

Liberty Communications Logo

George L. Bakris, MD
Professor of Medicine
Director, Hypertension Center
Section of Endocrinology, Diabetes and 
Metabolism 
University of Chicago 
Pritzker School of Medicine
Chicago, Illinois


Alan H. Gradman, MD
Professor of Medicine, Temple University
Director,
Cardiology Fellowship Training Program,
The Western Pennsylvania Hospital
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania


Joel M. Neutel, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Department of Medicine
University of California
Irvine Campus
School of Medicine
Irvine, California


Karol E. Watson, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
Co-director, UCLA Center for Cholesterol
and Lipid Management
David Geffen School of Medicine
Los Angeles, California
Christopher P. Cannon, MD
Senior Investigator, TIMI Study Group
Cardiovascular Division,
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School
Boston, Massachusetts
STATEMENT OF NEED

Recent advances have been made in the understanding of the components and actions of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system (RAAS), including the activity of renin receptors and the role of the RAAS in the regulation of cardiovascular and renal function. These advances firmly establish the RAAS as an expanding therapeutic target in patients with hypertension. Despite this progress, however, a complete understanding of the multiple target sites within the RAAS pathway, and its implications on treatment, are not fully understood. Post-program evaluation surveys and communications with experts have shown an educational need among clinicians to further understand the optimization of treatments that target the RAAS, its effects on outcomes in patients with HTN, and current registry data on achieving BP goals.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Following completion of the program, participants should be able to:
  • Explain the role of the RAAS in the pathogenesis of hypertension and cardiovascular disease
  • Recognize the impact of suppressing an activated RAAS on outcomes in cardiovascular disease
  • Identify methods for applying the use of antihypertensives that block the RAAS at various points along its pathway
  • Obtain sufficient information to effectively apply current JNC-7 and AHA guidelines for obtaining cardiovascular outcomes and HBP goals, and the use of combination therapy to attain those goals, to their clinical practice

This educational activity is designed for cardiologists and other healthcare professionals interested in learning more about the RAAS and its role in hypertension and cardiovascular disease.


Temple University School of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to sponsor continuing medical education for physicians.

CERTIFICATION STATEMENT

Temple University School of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA Physician’s Recognition Award Category 1 Credit(s)™.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

DISCLOSURE POLICY

It is the policy of Temple University School of Medicine, The Albert J. Finestone, M.D. Office for Continuing Medical Education to insure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all of its sponsored or jointly sponsored educational programs.  All faculty participating in programs sponsored or jointly sponsored by Temple University School of Medicine are expected to disclose to the program audience any real or apparent conflict(s) of interest related to the content of their presentation(s).

The information presented at this CME program represents the views and opinions of the individual presenters and does not constitute the opinion or endorsement of, or promotion by, Temple University School of Medicine, Temple University Health System or its affiliates.  Reasonable efforts have been taken intending for educational subject matter to be presented in a balanced, unbiased fashion and in compliance with regulatory requirements.  However, each program attendee must always use his/her own personal and professional judgment when considering further application of this information, particularly as it may relate to patient diagnostic or treatment decisions including, without limitation, FDA-approved uses and any off-label uses.

FACULTY DISCLOSURE DECLARATIONS

Christopher Cannon, MD has received grant from Accumetrics, Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, Glaxo-Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals, Merck/Schering Plough Partnership, Sanofi-Aventis/Bristol-Meyers Squibb Partnership, and Schering Plough.

George L. Bakris, MD has been a consultant for and has served on the speakers bureau of Abbott Laboratories, Boerhinger-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, BMS/Sanofi-Aventis, Forest Laboratories, Glaxo-Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals, Merck & Co., Inc., Novartis, Walgreens, Gilead and Sankyo Pharma he has received grant/research support form NIH (NIDDK/NHLBI), Glaxo-SmithKline Pharmaceuticals and Forest Laboratories.

Alan Gradman, MD has received grant research support from Novartis he has been a consultant for Novartis, Daiichi Sankyo, Merck & Co., Inc. and Forest Laboratories he has served on the speakers’ bureau of Novartis, Merck & Co., Inc., Daiichi Sankyo, Forest Laboratories, Astra Zeneca and Boerhinger-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals.

Joel M. Neutel, MD, is a member of the speakers bureau for Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Novartis, Pfizer, Sankyo, and Sanofi-Aventis, Forest Laboratories and Biovail.

Karol Watson, MD has been a consultant for AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Abbott Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc. and Merck/Schering Plough.

Launch Video Presentation    


Click the launch button to watch the webcast. The webcast system will automatically detect your bandwidth and player settings. For help with the webcast, please visit the help page.

Medical Crossfire® is a registered trademark of Healthcare First.