CME: Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS): Therapeutic updates and optimizing treatment
Activity Description / Statement of Need:
In this online CME self-learning program:
Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a disease in which the complement system is activated in an uncontrolled manner outside the presence of coexisting disease, resulting in platelet activation, damage to endothelial cells, and a range of clinical sequelae including: which may ultimately lead to kidney failure; systemic thrombotic microangiopathy;anemia; and thrombocytopenia.The disease may arise from any of a number of genetic mutations of the complement system or the presence of anti-complement factor H. While it is estimated to occur at an equally commonly between males and females, the disease is rare with an estimated incidence of about 2 people per million in the U.S. and seven per million in Europe.
Target Audience:
The following healthcare professionals: hematologists, nephrologists, and primary care physicians; physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists specializing in hematology and transplant medicine; and any other healthcare professionals with an interest in or who may clinically encounter patients with aHUS.
This activity is supported by an educational grant from Alexion.
This activity is free of charge.
Release Date: July 10, 2019 -- Expiration Date: July 10, 2021
Faculty: Ramy Hanna, MD
Agenda
Introduction
Epidemiology
- Current statistics
- Risk and causes
Pathophysiology and diagnosis, future complications [Learning objectives #1 and #2]
- Clinical features
- Microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, acute kidney injury, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea/vomiting
- Diagnostic methods
- Clinical presentation, screening for mutations and antibodies to complement proteins, screening for Shiga toxin-producing E. coli
Treatment [Learning objectives #3 and #4]
- Present therapy
- Eculizumab
- Plasma exchange or infusion
- Renal or combination renal-hepatic transplantation
- Supportive care
- Investigational therapies
- Ravulizumab
- Patient case(s)
Summary, conclusions, and best practice recap
Learning Objectives
By the end of the session the participant will be able to:
- Describe the pathophysiology of aHUS such that it might informs pairing with present treatment mechanisms
- Describe aHUS diagnostic methods, differential diagnosis, and the benefits of earlier diagnosis
- Describe available therapies used for treatment of aHUS and summarize the literature supporting use of those therapies
- Design an evidence-based treatment plan for a patient with aHUS
Accreditation
Faculty Disclosure and Resolution of COI
As a provider of continuing medical education, it is the policy of ScientiaCME to ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all of its educational activities. In accordance with this policy, faculty and educational planners must disclose any significant relationships with commercial interests whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, and any relationships with the commercial supporter of the activity. The intent of this disclosure is to provide the intended audience with information on which they can make their own judgments. Additionally, in the event a conflict of interest (COI) does exist, it is the policy of ScientiaCME to ensure that the COI is resolved in order to ensure the integrity of the CME activity. For this CME activity, any COI has been resolved thru content review ScientiaCME.
Faculty Disclosure: Ramy Hanna, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, is a consultant for Alexion pharmaceuticals.
Disclosures of Educational Planners: Charles Turck, PharmD, BCPS, BCCCP, CEO of ScientiaCME, has no relevant conflicts of interest to disclose.
Commercial Support Disclosure: This program is supported by an educational grant from Alexion
Instructions
- Read the learning objectives above
- Take the Pre-Test (optional). Completion of the pre-test will help us evaluate the knowedge gained by participating in this CME activity.
- View the online activity. You may view this is in more than one session, and may pause or repeat any portion of the presentation if you need to.
- Take the post-test
- Complete the activity evaluation and CME registration. A CE certificate will be emailed to you immediately.
System Requirements
Windows 7 or above
Internet Explorer 8
*Adobe Acrobat Reader
Mac OS 10.2.8
Safari or Chrome or Firefox
*Adobe Acrobat Reader
Internet Explorer is not supported on the Macintosh
*Required to view Printable PDF Version
Please take a few minutes to participate in the optional pre-test. It will help us measure the knowledge gained by participating in this activity.
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