The Management of HFrEF With New and Emerging Mechanisms of Action: Updates for Pharmacists

This activity includes patient counseling video vignettes.

This activity was originally broadcast in conjunction with the APhA2023 Annual Meeting & Exposition.

Program Description

Heart failure (HF) is currently the most common cause of hospitalization in patients who are over 65 years of age. The care of HF continues to be complex and expensive with a 5-year survival rate less than 50%. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is a subtype of HF that occurs when the heart has the dysfunction to contract adequately because the muscle is too weak, particularly when the left ventricular ejection fraction is less than 40%. The current treatments for HFrEF include drug classes that improve the overall workload activity of the heart; however, they have the potential to cause moderate adverse effects that may lead to serious complications if not addressed. Pharmacists are responsible for recommending the most effective and safest treatments for specific HF treatment and monitoring for adverse effects of the medications. This activity will explain the pathophysiology of HFrEF and cover updates on the treatment and management of the disease. Through this review of the new and emerging agents used for the management of HFrEF, participants will be able to provide more adequate recommendations for the treatment and counseling of patients to improve HFrEF disease management.

Target audience: Health-system and retail pharmacists

Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 7, 2023
Expiration date: April 7, 2024

Time to complete activity: 1.5 hours

Learner level: Foundational and Intermediate
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

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

• Explain the pathophysiology, challenges, unmet clinical burden, and associated comorbidities of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF)
• Examine the 2022 ACC/AHA/HFSA guideline updates to provide patient-specific recommendations
• Analyze the clinical efficacy and safety data associated with soluble guanylate cyclase stimulators and cardiac myosin activators in the management of worsening HFrEF
• Identify the role of the pharmacist in the management of worsening HFrEF through patient education, individualized recommendations, and management of adverse effects and associated comorbidities

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) as a provider of continuing pharmacy education. This activity is approved for 1.5 contact hours (0.15 CEU) under the ACPE universal activity number 0290-0000-23-148-H01-P. The activity is available for CE credit through April 7, 2024.

Instructions for Completing the Activity and Receiving CPE Credit

To receive CPE credit, participants must complete the pretest, review the activity in its entirety, complete the posttest, and complete the online activity evaluation. After successful completion of the online activity evaluation, you can submit your credit to CPE Monitor. You may view your credit within 48 hours at www.mycpemonitor.net. All participants must request credit before the activity expiration date. CE credit will not be issued after this date.

Disclosures

Stormi Gale, PharmD, BCCP, BCPS, has the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Consultant: Pharmacosmos, Kiniksa

Courtney Doyle-Campbell, PharmD, MBA, BCACP, AHSCP-CHC, has no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Pharmacy Times Continuing Education™ Planning Staff: Jim Palatine, RPh, MBA; Maryjo Dixon, RPh; Dipti Desai, PharmD, MBA, CHCP; Michelle C. Carlson, PharmD; Crissy Wilson; Susan Pordon; Brianna Winters; and Chloe Taccetta have no financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Anonymous peer reviewers have been used as part of content validation and conflict resolution. The peer reviewers have no relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose.

Educational Disclaimer
CPE activities are offered solely for educational purposes and do not constitute any form of professional advice or referral. Discussions concerning drugs, dosages, and procedures may reflect the clinical experience of the author(s) or they may be derived from the professional literature or other sources and may suggest uses that are investigational in nature and not approved labeling or indications. Participants are encouraged to refer to primary references or full prescribing information resources.

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