The intended result of this activity is increased knowledge. At the conclusion of this program, participants will have gained significant knowledge in the following areas –

• Pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and the biomarkers of inflammation.
• Role of inflammation in plaque fissuring/rupture and thrombosis in acute coronary syndromes.
• Comparison of various therapeutic approaches in acute coronary syndromes.
• Benefit of anti-inflammatory therapies in combination with newer antiplatelet and antithrombotic agents in acute coronary syndromes.
• Evaluation and management of established and emerging coronary risk factors.
• Appropriate selection of diagnostic tests in evaluation of cardiac patients.
• Role of aggressive lipid-lowering therapy for primary and secondary prevention.
• Controversies and new therapies for management of high-risk patients.
• Evaluation and management of cardiac disorders in patients with highly inflammatory, rupture-prone plaques.
• Review of various established practice guidelines for cardiovascular disorders.

Yong-Jian Geng, MD
James T. Willerson, MD
Texas Heart Institute
Houston, Texas

Peter Libby, MD
Paul M. Ridker, MD
Brigham & Women’s Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts

Texas Heart Institute is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Texas Heart Institute designates this enduring material for a maximum of 4.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The estimated time to complete this activity, including review of the materials is 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Date of Original Release: April 20, 2007.

Term of Approval
April 20, 2007 through April 20, 2010. Continuation of CME credit from April 20, 2010 depends on a thorough review of the content for currency and accuracy.

Peer Review
In April 2007, this continuing medical education activity was reviewed for currency and accuracy of content by James J. Ferguson III, MD, FACC—Associate Director, Clinical Cardiology Research, THI; Co-Chairman, Medical Education Committee, THI; Chairman, Research Committee, THI. Houston, Texas.

Disclosure of Relationships
It is the intent of the Texas Heart Institute to ensure that its educational mission and its continuing medical activities in particular, should not be influenced by the special interests of individuals associated with its program.

Faculty Disclosure
In accordance with the guidelines of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education, faculty members have disclosed their relationships, either with one or more of the manufacturers of commercial products discussed, or with one or more of the corporate organizations offering educational grants for this continuing medical education activity.

Each faculty disclosure statement is posted in the individual slide presentation.

This enduring material comprises 11 audio/visual presentations. By clicking on the course materials link below, you acknowledge that you have reviewed the CME information provided above. After viewing all presentations, you may complete an assessment and evaluation to obtain CME credit for this activity.