Optimizing the Management of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome: The Important Role of the Pharmacist

Program Description

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare disease with serious clinical outcomes and is associated with significantly increased morbidity and mortality. aHUS causes blood clots to form in blood vessels throughout the body that restrict the blood flow to organs impairing their functionality, especially the kidneys, leading to comorbidities such as end-stage renal disease. Plasma infusion or plasma exchange have been the first-line treatment for aHUS, with other therapies including kidney transplantation; however, both therapies have a relatively low long-term success rate. Recent studies with eculizumab and ravulizumab as well as other emerging therapies have been shown to provide long-term treatment efficacy as well as increased patient safety. This activity will review the epidemiology, etiology, and pathophysiology of aHUS with a look at the current landscape of aHUS treatment as well as investigational therapies. Due to the complexity of the disease state and the presence of new and emerging therapies that provide enhanced patient benefit, it is important for pharmacists to be able to assist with the treatment and management of patients with aHUS. The included interactive patient case will explore the role of the pharmacist in the treatment of patients with aHUS and offer an opportunity for pharmacists to practice employing general guidelines on the management of patients with aHUS.

Target audience: Health system pharmacist, specialty pharmacist

Type of activity: Application
Release date: March 17, 2022
Expiration date: March17, 2023

Time to complete activity: 2.5 hours
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain the pathophysiology, diagnosis criteria, and burden of disease for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS)
• Examine the current treatment landscape and the efficacy and safety data of new treatment options for aHUS
• Identify the role of novel biologics on clinical outcomes in those with aHUS and how specialty and infusion pharmacists can improve the care of patients through interventions related to medication use and education of patients and health care providers