This continuing medical education self-study audio activity on “Changing Paradigms in Hereditary Angioedema: A Focus on Timely Diagnosis and New Therapies” is certified for physicians.

MEDIA: SELF-STUDY AUDIO ACTIVITY

Release date: July 6, 2009
CME available until: July 6, 2010
Estimated time to complete this activity: 1 hour 45 minutes

CONTENTS

• Changing Paradigms in Hereditary Angioedema: A Focus on Timely Diagnosis and New Therapies
  • Overview
  • Faculty Biographies
    • Allen P. Kaplan, MD
    • Bruce L. Zuraw, MD
    • Paula J. Busse, MD
  • Accreditation & Credit
  • Disclosures & Disclaimer
  • Presentations
    • Hereditary Angioedema: History, Clinical Signs, and Symptoms
    • Hereditary Angioedema: Pathophysiology and Current Treatment
    • New Therapeutic Strategies for Prophylaxis and Acute Attacks
  • References
  • Learning Assessment
  • Evaluation Form

FACULTY

Allen P. Kaplan, MD
Clinical Professor of Medicine
Medical University of South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina


Bruce L. Zuraw, MD
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Section of Allergy & Immunology
Director, Allergy & Immunology Training Program
University of California School of Medicine
San Diego, California
Research Scientist, Veterans Medical Research Foundation
Director, Section of Allergy & Immunology
San Diego Veterans Affairs Medical Center
La Jolla, California

Paula J. Busse, MD
Assistant Professor of Medicine
Division of Clinical Immunology
Mount Sinai School of Medicine
New York, New York

TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians involved in the care of patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE).

PURPOSE
This activity is intended to assist physicians in understanding how to manage patients with HAE.

STATEMENT OF NEED
Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease caused by a functional or quantitative defect in C1 inhibitor. In the United States, HAE is estimated to afflict 10,000 people.¹ C1 inhibitor is a member of the serpin family of serine protease inhibitors and is the major inhibitor of several complement proteases and contact-system proteases.² During HAE attacks, these signaling cascades are set in motion, resulting in the production of several vasoactive substances, including bradykinin.

Patients with HAE suffer from recurrent attacks of intense localized edema involving the skin, airways, and visceral organs. Left untreated, most patients will suffer at least one acute attack per month, resulting in debilitation for 20 to 100 days per year.³ Chronic therapy with attenuated androgens or plasmin inhibitors has been the mainstay of therapy; however, many new therapies for prophylaxis or acute treatment are on the horizon. Clinical trials are ongoing with a C1 inhibitor purified from plasma, a recombinant C1 inhibitor, a kallikrein inhibitor, and a bradykinin type 2 receptor antagonist. The future of HAE treatment appears promising—offering hope to thousands who suffer from this debilitating disease.

1. Frank MM. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Goldman L, Bennett JC, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2000:1440-1445.
2. Zuraw BL. Hereditary angioedema. N Engl J Med. 2008;359:1027-1036.
3. Cicardi M, Agostini A. Hereditary angioedema. N Engl J Med. 1996;334:1666-1667.

EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this activity, the participant should be better able to:

• Describe the pathophysiology and immunologic features of hereditary angioedema (HAE)
• Review the signs and symptoms of patients who present with HAE
• Identify diagnostic considerations in HAE
• Outline therapeutic strategies for prophylaxis and acute HAE attacks

DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM) assesses conflict of interest with its instructors, planners, managers and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of continuing medical education (CME) activities. All relevant conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted by PIM for fair balance, scientific objectivity of studies utilized in this activity, and patient care recommendations. PIM is committed to providing its learners with high-quality CME activities and related materials that promote improvements or quality in healthcare and not a specific proprietary business interest of a commercial interest.

PHYSICIAN CONTINUING EDUCATION
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC (RMEI) and Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (PIM). PIM is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CREDIT DESIGNATION
PIM designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

FEE INFORMATION
There is no fee for this educational activity.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Additional educational activities offered by Robert Michael Educational Institute LLC can be found at www.RMEI.com or by calling toll-free to 866-770-RMEI.

United States Hereditary Angioedema Association
This non-profit patient advocacy organization is dedicated to expediting US approval of safer and more effective HAE therapies. In addition, the HAEA provides a wide range of services that include clinical trial placement, physician referrals, education, and individualized patient case management.
For more information, visit www.haea.org.