TARGET AUDIENCE
This activity is designed for a primary audience of Cardiologists and Cardiac Care Associates (including Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants), and a secondary audience of other health professionals, such as Endocrinologists and primary care physicians (PCPs), who treat patients with cardiovascular disease and may benefit from this activity.


PURPOSE

The purpose of this CME/CE activity is to assist healthcare providers in improving their understanding of cardiovascular medicine in practice. This CME/CE activity does not provide extensive training or offer certification in cardiovascular fields. The information provided in this CME/CE activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient's medical condition.


ACCF LEARNER BILL OF RIGHTS

As an ACCF participant you have the right to expect:

DISCLOSURE POLICY STATEMENTS

UNAPPROVED USE DISCLOSURE
Faculty may discuss information about pharmaceutical agents and/or medical devices/products that is outside of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved labeling. This information is intended solely for continuing medical education and is not intended to promote off-label use of these medications. If you have questions, contact the medical affairs department of the manufacturer for the most recent information. 



Mikhail Kosiborod, MD, FACC reports receiving consulting fees/honoraria from Sanofi-Aventis.
Kiran Musunuru, MD, PhD, MPH reports receiving research support from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals.
Suzanne Hughes, MSN, RN, has nothing to disclose.


ACCF's DISCLOSURE/CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
As a provider accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) must ensure balance, independence, objectivity and scientific rigor in all of their directly sponsored or jointly sponsored educational activities. Provider(s) and faculty participating in a sponsored activity are required to disclose to the audience any significant financial interests or other relationships he/she or a member of their immediate family may have (1) with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in an educational presentation and (2) with any commercial supporters of the activity. ACCF is committed to providing its learners with high-quality activities and materials that promote improvements and quality in health care and not a specific proprietary business or commercial interest. The intent of this disclosure is not to prevent participation in sponsored educational activities by persons with a financial or other relationship, but rather to provide learners with information on which they can make their own determination whether financial interests or relationships may influence the credited activity. ACCF assesses conflict of interest (COI) with its faculty, planners, managers, staff and other individuals who are in a position to control the content of CME/CE-credited activities. All relevant potential conflicts of interest that are identified are thoroughly vetted through a process that includes course directors and appropriate peer review by education committee chairs/members, for fair balance, scientific objectivity and validity, and patient care and safety recommendations.

ACCF also requires that all faculty disclose their intent to discuss any unlabeled/unapproved uses of drugs and/or devices during their presentation.


ACCREDITATION STATEMENT
The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

While offering CME/CE credits, this activity is not intended to provide extensive training or certification in the field.


SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION


CREDIT DESIGNATION
The ACCF designates this educational activity for a maximum of 0.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The ACCF designates this activity for a maximum of 0.5 ANCC contact hours. Attendees should only claim credits commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

• Read the learning objectives and faculty disclosures.
• Participate in the activity.
• Complete the posttest and activity evaluation.
• Physicians claiming CME, and Nurses and Nurse Practitioners claiming CE, who successfully complete the posttest and evaluation will receive CME/CE credit.
• All other participants who successfully complete the posttest and evaluation will receive a certificate of participation.

This activity is supported by Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc. and sanofi-aventis U.S.



Copyright © 2009 by the American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF). All rights reserved.