Actelion Pharmaceuticals US, Inc., a Janssen Pharmaceutical Company of Johnson & Johnson

Target Audience

This educational initiative is designed for nurse practitioners, advance practice nurses, physicians, and physician assistants who work in primary care and manage patients with or at risk for PAH.

Program Overview

In order for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) to have the best outcomes, early diagnosis and treatment are necessary to avoid irreversible pathologic changes. Unfortunately, about 20% of patients with PAH exhibit symptoms for over 2 years before a diagnosis is made. In addition, studies also show racial discrepancies between outcomes specific to PAH in addition to more general findings concerning race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status discrepancies concerning life expectancy, and access to insurance. This program will highlight how racial/ethnic disparities in PAH impact delayed diagnosis, treatment, and other health outcomes. To avoid irreversible damage and select the best treatment plan based on the individual patient profile, regular risk assessment and application of the guidelines are necessary. This activity will present guideline-based recommendations on the diagnosis and treatment of PAH as well as a patient case study.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be better able to:
Outline the latest PAH guidelines regarding early diagnosis and initiation of therapy, while taking into consideration how racial and ethnic disparities may play into treatment delays and patient outcomes
Describe a guideline-directed, evidence-based management plan for PAH that includes consideration of current guidelines, combination therapies, escalation strategies and current clinical trial data and patient-characteristics
Discuss how to incorporate patient-focused management tactics to address racial and ethnic disparities and the practical considerations of patients with PAH