VTE Prophylaxis and Treatment in the Medically Ill Patient: Module 1-Introduction and Overview

Faculty

Needs Statement

The majority of hospitalized patients are at risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is comprised of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Medically ill patients—for example, those with congestive heart failure, respiratory illness, or infectious or inflammatory disease—are at an increased risk of developing VTE. VTE is the most common preventable cause of death in the hospital, and the estimated cost of caring for VTE in the U.S. is 1.5 billion dollars annually. Key opinion leaders in the field support the need to educate and update clinicians on the variety and degree of risks for VTE, and their associated clinical complications, faced by medically ill patients. A review of the literature has revealed new and emerging clinical data that show that VTE prophylaxis can substantially mitigate VTE-associated death and complications in medically ill patients. Overall improvement of patient care through the implementation of treatment guidelines for the appropriate use of VTE therapy and prophylaxis in the hospital setting is an important fundamental goal of this educational program.

Objectives

1. Identify medically ill patients that might be at increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE);
2. Assess the broad and diverse range of clinical complications that result from VTE;
3. Discuss therapeutic strategies for VTE correlated to degree of risk in a given patient;
4. Describe potential pharmacologic options for VTE prophylaxis.

Accreditation

Medicine
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of the University of Kentucky College of Medicine and Continuing Edge, a division of Global Edge, Inc. The University of Kentucky College of Medicine is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Each physician should claim only those hours of credit actually spent in the educational activity.

The University of Kentucky College of Medicine presents this activity for educational purposes only. Participants are expected to utilize their own expertise and judgment while engaged in the practice of medicine. The content of the presentations is provided solely by presenters who have been selected for presentations because of recognized expertise in their field.

Pharmacy
The University of Kentucky College of Pharmacy is approved by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity has been assigned ACPE # 022-999-07-081-H04 and will award 1.00 contact hours (0.1 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy education credit in states that recognize ACPE providers. Statements of credit will indicate hours and CEUs based on successful completion of a posttest (score 70% or higher) and will be issued upon completion of the activity. The college complies with the Criteria for Quality for continuing education programming.

Nursing
Educational Review Systems is an approved provider of continuing education in nursing by ASNA, an accredited provider by the ANCC/Commission on Accreditation and designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.00 hour(s). Provider # 5-115-07-038

Educational Review Systems is also approved for nursing continuing education by the state of California and the District of Columbia.

Faculty Disclosure

Dr. Bauer is on the speaker's bureau at GlaxoSmithKline and will discuss fondaparinux for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in the medically ill.

Dr. Turpie is on the speaker's bureau at GlaxoSmithKline, sanofi-aventis and Pfizer. He receives grant and/or research support from Bayer Pharmaceuticals and receives consultation fees from GlaxoSmithKline, Bayer Pharmaceuticals, sanofi-aventis and Astellas Pharma Inc. Dr. Turpie will discuss fondaparinux for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in medical patients.

Dr. Matthai receives grant and/or research support from GlaxoSmithKline, The Medicines Company and sanofi-aventis and receives consultation fees from GlaxoSmithKline. He intends to discuss an unlabeled and/or investigational use of the following products during the activity: fondaparinux, bivalirudin, lepirudin and argatroban.

Activity Sponsorship

This activity is jointly sponsored by the University of Kentucky and Continuing Edge, a division of Global Edge, Inc. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.